Uncle angered by gang's sentences

(Clockwise from top left) Shohaib Khan, Adam Hussain, Ahsan Khan and Sufyan Yaqub

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

THE uncle of a 16-year-old boy who was scarred for life after being tortured with a hot iron and sexually assaulted says the sentences handed to his attackers are not long enough for him to rebuild his life.

Shohaib Khan (17), Sufyan Yaqub and Adam Hussain, both 16, and 15-year-old Ahsan Khan were jailed on Thursday following the violent and sickening attack on their victim last October.

The teenager suffered life-changing injuries after being lured to a house in the Werneth area of Oldham where he was tied up, beaten and burnt before having salt and lemon juice poured onto his wounds.

He was then sexually assaulted, and after several hours of torture was finally allowed to leave.

The victim's uncle says the attack was the culmination of two years of bullying and torment by the gang, and it was only after such a horrific event that he finally had the courage to speak out about the hell he was being subjected to.

Each of his attackers were given sentences ranging between four and six-and-a-half years.

A 17-year-old boy also pleaded guilty to a section 47 assault and was sentenced to a 12- month supervision programme with a night-time curfew.

But the victim's family believe this is not enough, and that they could be walking the streets again in as little as two years.

Scarred

His uncle said: "We had expected longer sentences, especially for the one who pleaded not guilty, and the older of the group.

"My nephew has been scarred for life. He has lost all confidence, he wants to be hidden away and doesn't want to communicate with people.

"He was always such a confident, happy child, we live in a lively environment, surrounded by family, and he has now become very withdrawn.

"His whole life has been turned upside down, he lost his friends, doesn't trust people, and it's affected his character."

The relative said how they as a family are too struggling to deal with what happened.

He added: "We don't feel the sentences were long enough for those boys to be properly rehabilitated, or to allow my nephew to recover fully.

"We had hoped they would be locked up inside for at least three or four years, but we know that won't be the case.

"They will be released earlier - we do hope that they do behave inside, and develop themselves and become changed people - but my nephew is our primary concern.

"He needs enough time and opportunity to develop mentally, physically and in his career without them around.

"He needs to be able to regain his confidence, make friends and become comfortable again."

Speaking on the different sentences imposed, the victim's uncle added: "In our eyes, all five should have been taken as a group. They should have been made an example of, for others to see that bullying is not and will not be tolerated.

"For someone to be involved in such a violent case and walk away without a prison sentence is not good enough."

He also believes that more needs to be done to raise awareness of the signs of bullying, and that parents and older members of the community should be provided with the professional skills to recognise abuse, be it in school, at home or the workplace.