Schoolgirl, 13, terrified to leave the house after ‘happy slapping’ video of gang of bullies attacking her goes off viral
AROUND 30 teens surrounded Courtney Rodgerson as some pulled her hair and kicked her head in unprovoked assault
A 13-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl has been left too terrified to leave home after a video of her being attacked by 30 bullies went viral.
Courtney Rodgerson was surrounded by a gang of teens who laughed and filmed as she had her hair pulled and was kicked in the face by cruel bullies.
Her mum Toni has slammed the gang who surrounded her, saying she is "sickened" by those who stood and watched instead of going to Courtney's aid.
The 29-year-old says her normally "happy" daughter is traumatised by the attack and is too afraid to return to Sheffield's Forge Valley School.
She said: "It makes me feel sick when I watch these videos. I don't know who took them, but I think it's absolutely disgusting someone could take these videos instead of helping her.
"They were sent to me late on Saturday night, and then not long after she saw them on her own Facebook page because people had started to share them."
While she says Courtney was shocked by the video, Toni says they hope sharing it will identify her daughter's attackers and highlight the dangers of bullying.
Courtney had been walking home along Penistone Road in Sheffield after a day out at the fair when she was set upon by a gang of 30 teens at around 3.45pm on Saturday.
The schoolgirl only knew two of her attackers before the unprovoked attack, during which she was pushed to the ground and into park railings as they pulled her hair and kicked her head.
Members of the group, thought to have been pupils from at least three Sheffield schools, Bradfield School, Forge Valley and Parkwood Academy, also verbally abused the terrified teen.
Scared Courtney tried to ring her mum for help but was unable to get through and so called her nan in a panic, saying: "They're getting me, they're getting me."
Toni rushed to her daughter in a panic, adding: "When I finally got to her she was shaking and so scared.
"She hasn't been able to stop shaking since it happened. She's got grazes on both knees, and a lump on her head."
The incident has been reported to the police and Toni says she hopes the parents of the kids involved encourage them to own up.
She said: "If I found out my daughter had been involved in something like this I would drag her down to the police station so she can realise what she's done.
"The parents need to take responsibility too, they can't let their children get away with acting like this."
Toni says Courtney has been happy at school up until now, but refuses to return out of fear.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Police are investigating following reports of an assault on a teenage girl.The girl suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident but did not require
hospital treatment.
"An investigation is now under way to identify those involved.
Forge Valley School headteacher Dale Barrowclough said: "I have been made aware of an incident, involving youths from across north Sheffield, which took place over the weekend in Hillsborough.
"I understand that footage taken of this incident has been posted on various social media sites. This is now being investigated by police and it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this time."
Parkwood Academy principal Rachel Smith added: "We have been made aware of an incident involving young people from across north Sheffield, which took place over the weekend.
"We understand there is an ongoing police investigation into the matter. The safety and well-being of all our students is always our main concern and we will work with all stakeholders to ensure the safety of all."
Bradfield School declined to comment.
Linda James, CEO of anti-bullying charity Bullies Out, branded the video "disgusting" and said she understood videos of assaults could potentially help bring perpetrators to justice but believed it was ultimately detrimental to victims.
She said: "Sadly we see too many of these videos that show groups assaulting and bullying an individual.I think some people shown carrying out these assaults may even get a kick out of the notoriety and criticism videos like this being widely shared brings."
