17-05-2025
Community rally behind Lliswerry boy after alleged attack
On May 14 a viral video showing a pupil from Lliswerry High School allegedly being attacked shocked the community.
Since the incident Gwent Police have arrested a 30-year-old man, a 13-year-old boy and an 11-year-old boy.
Donations collected for the schoolboy (Image: Heather Yearsley) 32-year-old Newport local Heather Yearsley felt compelled to do something.
She explained: 'I watched the video, and I was moved by it as I've got children myself.'
Heather decided to start collecting for donations to help life the boy's spirits.
She said: 'I put a message up on Facebook saying this is something I'd like to do and people just started sending me money towards it.
'These people didn't even know who I was.'
Heather Yearsley fundraiser organiser with Hayden Stephenson (Image: Heather Yearsley) Heather explained the pupil involved in the attack didn't own a mobile phone and so was unable to call for help at the time.
Now, because of the donations he's got a new iPhone13.
He was also gifted a new scooter, JD gift card, a voucher to use at Shark Bites restaurant Cwmbran and a free haircut from Neyaz crib barber shop in Newport.
Martial arts studio Flawless Combat Club have also offered the boy free lifetime gym membership and posted online:
'No one should have to experience anything like that.'
Pictures of a brutal attack that happened involving Lliswerry high school pupils (Image: NQ) Heather added: 'I think everyone's seen the bad and everyone should see the good.
'It's nice to show the community is there and well done for being brave.'
Gwent Police are still investigating the incident.
Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend said: "We have now identified the young person in the video being circulated online and officers continue to support him as our enquiries continue."
Anyone with information regarding this is asked to contact Gwent Police quoting quoting log 444 of 14/05.