Mum of Pudsey teenager kicked in head appeals for witnesses
9:27am Tuesday 30th March 2010 in News By Ben Barnett
Daniel Ratcliffe
The mother of a Bradford student with Asperger’s Syndrome who was beaten to the floor and kicked repeatedly in the head has lambasted the “disgusting” behaviour of his attackers.
Nineteen-year-old Daniel Ratcliffe, who has the form of autism which affects sufferers’ social skills, was left so badly bruised and swollen it was suspected that his right eye socket had been broken.
Two male thugs laid into the teenager, punching him to the floor before lashing out at his head and spine as he lay prone by the railway arches at Bradford’s Forster Square station.
Daniel, a first-year digital media and technologies student at the University of Bradford, had gone to catch a train, which it turned out was not running, prior to the attack.
He was leaving the station in the direction of the Midland Hotel to get on a different service from Bradford Interchange when he stopped to chat to a busker beneath one of the arches.
He was approached by two males wearing hoodies who asked him for the time. Daniel pulled his mobile phone from his pocket to check its display. The men demanded he hand it over, and was attacked when he refused. The suspects fled in the direction of the nearby train platforms with Daniel’s phone and wallet.
A railway security guard ran to Daniel’s aid and the busker called 999. His mother, Lynne Ratcliffe, of Pudsey, was called and they attended Bradford Royal Infirmary.
Mrs Ratcliffe said her son was left very shaken.
“It’s hit his confidence,” she said. “He said he is never going to return to that station but he’s saying they are not going to win and he’ll carry on with his life.”
She condemned his attackers. “They are scum,” she said. “They wouldn’t have been able to differentiate if he was a special needs person from someone else but it’s disgusting that they attacked a defenceless young man. He didn’t even get a chance to defend himself.
“I urge anyone to come forward if they know anything. I hope they get punished.”
Witnesses to the robbery or anyone with any information about the attack, which occurred at 8pm on Thursday, should contact Detective Constable 4988 Nicola Richardson on 0845 60 06 606 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Comments(39)
Rambo
says...
10:00am Tue 30 Mar 10
Also, no CCTV? no descriptions?
lanzaman
says...
10:46am Tue 30 Mar 10
Apollo
says...
11:25am Tue 30 Mar 10
lanzaman wrote:No - and for pretty obvious reasons if you think about the censorship that goes on in Bradford.
Do we have a desrciption of the two attackers, I wonder?!
albion
says...
12:02pm Tue 30 Mar 10
Apollo wrote:I dont know about that but whoever they were they deserve much more severe punishment than they will get (if caught).
lanzaman wrote:No - and for pretty obvious reasons if you think about the censorship that goes on in Bradford.
Do we have a desrciption of the two attackers, I wonder?!
Collos
says...
12:09pm Tue 30 Mar 10
anewman
says...
12:49pm Tue 30 Mar 10
Apollo wrote:A large group of people in Bradford can get away with anything. And well if they don't they cry "racism" then they do. This group of people are also well known for driving without insurance and accident staging (cutting brake lights) to defraud insurance.
lanzaman wrote:No - and for pretty obvious reasons if you think about the censorship that goes on in Bradford.
Do we have a desrciption of the two attackers, I wonder?!
freemindz01
says...
12:53pm Tue 30 Mar 10
You mean when asians doc rime in Bradford it must be censored! please its generally white lads around interchanges at night who have nowhere, no broken home to go to so they stay out late. please keep your racist views within the confines of your 4 walls. Whoever thet were deserve at least a 5 year senteance, regardless, no censorship on jail term!
albion
says...
1:03pm Tue 30 Mar 10
freemindz01 wrote:If you read my post I wasnt getting at anything other than the punishment wont fit the crime.
albion, apollo,lanzaman? i know what your getting at with the following quote:"censorship that goes on in Bradford?"
You mean when asians doc rime in Bradford it must be censored! please its generally white lads around interchanges at night who have nowhere, no broken home to go to so they stay out late. please keep your racist views within the confines of your 4 walls. Whoever thet were deserve at least a 5 year senteance, regardless, no censorship on jail term!
Andraste
says...
1:08pm Tue 30 Mar 10
albion wrote:There was a lot of racist undertones in your post. Many people would think you were a racist. I am sure you are not but please be careful when you open your mouth.
freemindz01 wrote:If you read my post I wasnt getting at anything other than the punishment wont fit the crime.
albion, apollo,lanzaman? i know what your getting at with the following quote:"censorship that goes on in Bradford?"
You mean when asians doc rime in Bradford it must be censored! please its generally white lads around interchanges at night who have nowhere, no broken home to go to so they stay out late. please keep your racist views within the confines of your 4 walls. Whoever thet were deserve at least a 5 year senteance, regardless, no censorship on jail term!
Cate03
says...
1:10pm Tue 30 Mar 10
scanipoos
says...
1:13pm Tue 30 Mar 10
Ive been attacked . I walk funny due to arthritis and being elderly.
I feel vulnerable. ide rather go into halifax. they don't have a multitude of gaping holes in their center either
albion
says...
1:15pm Tue 30 Mar 10
Andraste wrote:There are definitely NO racial undertones in my post! And dont preach to me as to what I might decide to write.
albion wrote:There was a lot of racist undertones in your post. Many people would think you were a racist. I am sure you are not but please be careful when you open your mouth.
freemindz01 wrote:If you read my post I wasnt getting at anything other than the punishment wont fit the crime.
albion, apollo,lanzaman? i know what your getting at with the following quote:"censorship that goes on in Bradford?"
You mean when asians doc rime in Bradford it must be censored! please its generally white lads around interchanges at night who have nowhere, no broken home to go to so they stay out late. please keep your racist views within the confines of your 4 walls. Whoever thet were deserve at least a 5 year senteance, regardless, no censorship on jail term!
anawaz
says...
1:16pm Tue 30 Mar 10
Albion and crew... stop inflaming any news story and get a life
albion
says...
1:24pm Tue 30 Mar 10
anawaz wrote:Very well, show me where I have inflamed this news story.
Get well soon Daniel... hope the culprits get there just deserts
Albion and crew... stop inflaming any news story and get a life
Mike Strutter
says...
1:49pm Tue 30 Mar 10
albion wrote:If some of you numpties care to browse over the posts you will see it was apollo's first post that could be construed as having undertones, not albion's.
anawaz wrote: Get well soon Daniel... hope the culprits get there just deserts Albion and crew... stop inflaming any news story and get a lifeVery well, show me where I have inflamed this news story.
Apollo
says...
2:20pm Tue 30 Mar 10
freemindz01 wrote:And if you read mine I was complaining that without an accurate description of those involved how could the Police expect any help in finding out who did it. The fact that censorship only applies one way is not racist - it's the simple truth of reporting in Bradford.
albion, apollo,lanzaman? i know what your getting at with the following quote:"censorship that goes on in Bradford?" You mean when asians doc rime in Bradford it must be censored! please its generally white lads around interchanges at night who have nowhere, no broken home to go to so they stay out late. please keep your racist views within the confines of your 4 walls. Whoever thet were deserve at least a 5 year senteance, regardless, no censorship on jail term!
Racism works both ways.
eccythump
says...
2:21pm Tue 30 Mar 10
freemindz01
says...
2:24pm Tue 30 Mar 10
Thats what you meant so do not try to change the subject,Andraste when i open my mouth i read first so it seems you cannot read as you have missed the point above! No racist tones but i dont do subtle racism, just say it! i said it now u guys should have the courage to state the above ( by censorship you meant , when asians do crime, bradford police, council,etc, censor it out to protect asians)
as that is what you think!:)
Moon on a stick
says...
2:31pm Tue 30 Mar 10
.
It is a fact mind you the T and A often omits race from descriptions of criminals, making many stories almost pointless, though maybe that's the fault of police press releases, who knows.
.
Anyway back to the story, it shows again that much of the city centre CCTV is largely pointless and is simply there to make people think they're safe.
.
His mum has done the right thing going to the T and A otherwise the police would let this drop (though they probably will anyway) rather than check the nearby CCTV for recordings (it’s a hassle for them). This isn’t rocket science to solve as a crime as the mobile networks can match the IMEI from the stolen phone to any SIM used in the phone thereafter, even if it was a prepay SIM, if the phone is used to call a contract subscriber they’d have a name and address to pursue further enquiries against, though they won’t even think of doing this as it’s too much hassle.
cheeky1
says...
2:43pm Tue 30 Mar 10
I am glad to hear that Daniel will carryon with his life...but I know he will have an upsetting experince evrytime he goes near to this place again.
its johnny
says...
2:58pm Tue 30 Mar 10
Also it seems he had no problem walking it all the way to Bradford battered and bruised
reportmeagain
says...
4:09pm Tue 30 Mar 10
albion wrote:Temper,temper.
Andraste wrote:There are definitely NO racial undertones in my post! And dont preach to me as to what I might decide to write.albion wrote:There was a lot of racist undertones in your post. Many people would think you were a racist. I am sure you are not but please be careful when you open your mouth.freemindz01 wrote: albion, apollo,lanzaman? i know what your getting at with the following quote:"censorship that goes on in Bradford?" You mean when asians doc rime in Bradford it must be censored! please its generally white lads around interchanges at night who have nowhere, no broken home to go to so they stay out late. please keep your racist views within the confines of your 4 walls. Whoever thet were deserve at least a 5 year senteance, regardless, no censorship on jail term!If you read my post I wasnt getting at anything other than the punishment wont fit the crime.
Rambo
says...
4:27pm Tue 30 Mar 10
....
Albion said -
"I dont know about that but whoever they were they deserve much more severe punishment than they will get (if caught)."
.
To all you morons calling that post racist - Wheres the racism?
Please tell me.
hi123
says...
4:32pm Tue 30 Mar 10
zippy25
says...
5:05pm Tue 30 Mar 10
Zenithcd150
says...
6:29pm Tue 30 Mar 10
its johnny wrote:Up to a few years ago, there was one at Dudley Hill....... We don't know when this attack happened, so it may have been before DH closed..
Where is there a police staion near Laisterdyke?
Also it seems he had no problem walking it all the way to Bradford battered and bruised
.
Who said he walked?
Eccy said he 'went'...by car maybe?
.
Now I've expanded your intelligence somewhat Johnny, I'd like to wish Daniel all the best, & hope plod catches the b£$%^&*s, whatever shade they are.
Andraste
says...
7:02pm Tue 30 Mar 10
albion wrote:Your post implied racism. I did say earlier in my last post that I'm sure this was not your intention, but please be careful how you say things. Your post clearly did show racist feelings.
anawaz wrote:Very well, show me where I have inflamed this news story.
Get well soon Daniel... hope the culprits get there just deserts
Albion and crew... stop inflaming any news story and get a life
albion
says...
9:19pm Tue 30 Mar 10
Andraste wrote:My post="I dont know about that but whoever they were they deserve much more severe punishment than they will get (if caught)." I (and indeed others) cannot see implications of racism in that!
albion wrote:Your post implied racism. I did say earlier in my last post that I'm sure this was not your intention, but please be careful how you say things. Your post clearly did show racist feelings.
anawaz wrote:Very well, show me where I have inflamed this news story.
Get well soon Daniel... hope the culprits get there just deserts
Albion and crew... stop inflaming any news story and get a life
Prisoner Cell Block A
says...
9:27pm Tue 30 Mar 10
A request to not tell people what to do followed by a request to be quiet.
That is having your cake and eating if ever I saw it.
In no way, even by rearranging the letters and making new words could Albion's post be classed as racist by any race.
The main point being missed whilst petty arguments go on, is that a young lad, of any colour, has once again been attacked in our city centre. It is time everyone started to care and take notice of what is going on around them, instead of hurrying on by 'too busy, too busy' . Some people won't even contact the authorities as it impacts on their lives too much giving statements and attending court. Don't whine about the evils in society, do something.
I hope I haven't upset anyone white, non-white, English, non-English, flora or fauna.
Up with the partridge
says...
9:39am Wed 31 Mar 10
Lottielee
says...
11:56am Wed 31 Mar 10
aphandargus.co.uk/ne
ws/5932182.Pregnant_
and_terrified_as_ang
ry_driver_punched_me
_in_face/
Up with the partridge
says...
12:05pm Wed 31 Mar 10
Lottielee wrote:I agree with you, I think it is because the T&A know that there would be outrage at the apparent lack of interest by the police. Given that the alleged assailant was of Asian decent then this would give the hang'em and flog'em they're all the sanme brigade another chance to fire off. That's why I am sure the T&A is avoiding it, plus of course it just may (but uunlikely) be a criminal investigation by the police.
Why is there not a 'your say' here http://www.thetelegr aphandargus.co.uk/ne ws/5932182.Pregnant_ and_terrified_as_ang ry_driver_punched_me _in_face/
mikado85
says...
12:08pm Wed 31 Mar 10
Im sick of it. Absolutely sick of it. T&A should suspend these idiots' accounts for having pea brains and implying the most reidiculous accusations, without given reasoning.
To you folk, i say, change your ways, what goes around usually comes around and you wont like it.
mikado85
says...
12:11pm Wed 31 Mar 10
anewman wrote:THIS IS WHAT IM REFERRING TO
Apollo wrote:A large group of people in Bradford can get away with anything. And well if they don't they cry "racism" then they do. This group of people are also well known for driving without insurance and accident staging (cutting brake lights) to defraud insurance.lanzaman wrote: Do we have a desrciption of the two attackers, I wonder?!No - and for pretty obvious reasons if you think about the censorship that goes on in Bradford.
Tanny
says...
1:47pm Wed 31 Mar 10
Please stop this racist figeure pointing - the man who attacked the pregnant lady in Morrisions needs to hand himself in if he has any decenacy in him.
If you know who these people are please inform the police-
MyleftPenguin
says...
7:55pm Wed 31 Mar 10
Andraste wrote:Sorry but in my opinion there's not much evidence of any racist undertones in his post. There is however ample evidence in yours of the sort of idiocy that spies racism in everything you don't agree with. You need to stop playing the race card, grow up and realise you are not in the college common room any more. That way people might take you more seriously when you open your mouth. Let's face it, on this performance you need to.
albion wrote:There was a lot of racist undertones in your post. Many people would think you were a racist. I am sure you are not but please be careful when you open your mouth.
freemindz01 wrote:If you read my post I wasnt getting at anything other than the punishment wont fit the crime.
albion, apollo,lanzaman? i know what your getting at with the following quote:"censorship that goes on in Bradford?"
You mean when asians doc rime in Bradford it must be censored! please its generally white lads around interchanges at night who have nowhere, no broken home to go to so they stay out late. please keep your racist views within the confines of your 4 walls. Whoever thet were deserve at least a 5 year senteance, regardless, no censorship on jail term!
mad matt
says...
9:14am Fri 2 Apr 10
Returning to this article, the fact that no record exists of this attack on CCTV is no surprise to me. I was involved in an incident with a car at the junction of Hall Ings and Bridge Street - cameras all over the place, all facing in the opposite direction apparently!
I certainly would not walk alone at night, from Forster Square Station up the ramp to the back of the Midland Hotel. I don't even like going up there alone during the day. What a sad state of affairs to be nervous about walking alone in your own home town!
Johsay
says...
8:34pm Sun 4 Apr 10
We all know why there is no description, let's be fair.
bredandbuttered says...
9:39am Tue 30 Mar 10
Its hard to believe this happens where I live.
I know the lad will struggle to come to terms with what has happened.