Reading this just gave me a shiver down my spine, could have been so much worse:
Police quizzing children murder suspects
Click to enlarge photo
LONDON (Reuters) - Police were continuing to quiz three children aged 11 or 12 on Thursday arrested on suspicion of trying to murder a five-year-old boy.
The boy, named as Anthony Mark Hinchliffe, was injured during an incident in woodland near a medical centre in Dewsbury between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, West Yorkshire police said.
He was found near the scene with a number of bruises to his body and marks to his neck, prompting speculation that the injuries had been caused by the child being hanged with a rope.
Police originally arrested five children -- two girls and three boys all aged 11 or 12 -- but released two boys overnight after eliminating them from the inquiry. None are related to the victim but all were said to be from the local area.
Detectives said more arrests were likely to follow.
"The injuries looked quite horrific in themselves," Detective Superintendent Andy Brennan told reporters.
"He has marks around his neck which could be consistent with ligature marks," he said.
"It's too early to say whether these were caused by a rope around his neck."
Hinchliffe's father suggested the boy might have been abducted.
"Apparently he's been taken from the garden to some woods," he told ITV News.
"He's a very active lad, he loves playing about. He has loads of friends -- so something like this, you don't know."
Police said they could not rule out the possibility he had been abducted but said further details about what had happened would not be available until detectives spoke to the boy.
Hinchliffe was now being interviewed by specialist officers after being released from hospital.
"Clearly it will be a painstaking account that will be taken from him covering all aspects in relation to how he ended being in the location he was found and what has taken place," Brennan said.
Police quizzing children murder suspects
Click to enlarge photo
LONDON (Reuters) - Police were continuing to quiz three children aged 11 or 12 on Thursday arrested on suspicion of trying to murder a five-year-old boy.
The boy, named as Anthony Mark Hinchliffe, was injured during an incident in woodland near a medical centre in Dewsbury between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, West Yorkshire police said.
He was found near the scene with a number of bruises to his body and marks to his neck, prompting speculation that the injuries had been caused by the child being hanged with a rope.
Police originally arrested five children -- two girls and three boys all aged 11 or 12 -- but released two boys overnight after eliminating them from the inquiry. None are related to the victim but all were said to be from the local area.
Detectives said more arrests were likely to follow.
"The injuries looked quite horrific in themselves," Detective Superintendent Andy Brennan told reporters.
"He has marks around his neck which could be consistent with ligature marks," he said.
"It's too early to say whether these were caused by a rope around his neck."
Hinchliffe's father suggested the boy might have been abducted.
"Apparently he's been taken from the garden to some woods," he told ITV News.
"He's a very active lad, he loves playing about. He has loads of friends -- so something like this, you don't know."
Police said they could not rule out the possibility he had been abducted but said further details about what had happened would not be available until detectives spoke to the boy.
Hinchliffe was now being interviewed by specialist officers after being released from hospital.
"Clearly it will be a painstaking account that will be taken from him covering all aspects in relation to how he ended being in the location he was found and what has taken place," Brennan said.