Schoolyard bully, 16, who 'waterboarded' a 15-year-old Syrian refugee pupil in attack that shocked Britain is given a police caution

  • The unnamed 16-year-old was interviewed by police and summoned to court for a section 39 assault offence in November last year
  • It came after footage emerged on social media of the Syrian boy, called Jamal, being dragged to the floor and held down by his throat
  • The alleged incident took place on October 25 at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

A schoolboy bully arrested over the alleged 'waterboarding' of a 15-year-old Syrian pupil in an attack that shocked the nation, has been issued with a caution.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was interviewed by police and summoned to court for a section 39 assault offence in November last year.

It came after footage emerged on social media of the Syrian boy, called Jamal, being dragged to the floor and held down by his throat before having water poured over his face.

The video provoked outrage and prompted well-wishers to set up an online crowdfunding page for the victim which received £50,000 in donations in the space of a day.

The incident took place on October 25 at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, which has since been slammed in a report by Ofsted for 'ineffective safeguarding'.

Footage emerged on social media of the Syrian boy, called Jamal, being dragged to the floor and held down by his throat before having water poured over his face

Footage emerged on social media of the Syrian boy, called Jamal, being dragged to the floor and held down by his throat before having water poured over his face

The alleged incident took place on October 25 at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, which has since been slammed in a report by Ofsted for 'ineffective safeguarding'

The alleged incident took place on October 25 at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, which has since been slammed in a report by Ofsted for 'ineffective safeguarding'

A review of the case was undertaken to investigate whether there was a racially aggravated element to the offence.

But police released a statement today saying the CPS has concluded there was not sufficient evidence to charge the suspect with a racially aggravated assault.

The statement read: 'On 26 October 2018, West Yorkshire Police received a report from a 15-year-old male that he had been assaulted at school by a named 16-year-old male, the previous day (25 October 2018).

'Included in the report received by police was the video evidence of the incident, which has been widely circulated in the media and on social media.

'The suspect was interviewed by police.

'Upon completion of the investigation, it was reviewed by the Youth Offending Team, the suspect was reported for summons for section 39 assault.

Jamal, with supporters outside Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, in November last year

Jamal, with supporters outside Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, in November last year

'However, following significant media coverage about the incident, West Yorkshire Police has received further intelligence and evidence and a review of the case was undertaken to investigate whether there was a racially aggravated element to the offence.

'A file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for their consideration.

'The CPS has concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to charge the suspect with a racially aggravated assault and he was given a caution for a section 39 assault.

'The victim and his family has been kept updated throughout the process and has been updated on the CPS's decision.'

 Shortly after the footage emerged, the victim said he no longer felt safe at school.

He told ITV News: 'I woke up at night and just started crying about this problem. They think I'm different - different from them.

'I don't feel safe at school.

'Sometimes I say to my dad, 'I don't want to go to school anymore'. I was just crying and I didn't do nothing because I respect the school rules.'

Jamal's family have since moved away from Huddersfield to set up a new life for themselves elsewhere in the UK.