'I don't want to see the boys sent to prison... I want them rehabilitated'

VICTIM OF BRUTAL ATTACK SAYS SOCIETY IS THE PROBLEM

- By MARTIN NAYLOR

A MAN who was taunted, abused and followed before being attacked by a 16-year-old with a scaffolding pole said he did not want to see his attacker locked up.

Owen Dunwell said the harrowing incident "shows that society has a problem and it is everyone's responsibility.

The 61-year-old, of St Ann's, needed a metal plate fitted to his jaw and more than 18 months later still suffers from pain from being viciously beaten with the weapon.

And a court hearing was told that the youth's accomplice, Dennis Booth, who filmed the assault, went on to be part of a knife-wielding gang which attacked a dog walker in Nottingham city centre.

Mr Dunwell said: "I don't want to see the boys sent to prison. I want to see them rehabilitated. I have lived in St Ann's for over 30 years, have never been in any trouble before and consider myself a proud member of the community.

"I was worried for weeks that the boys knew where I lived and have now fitted a spyhole to the door and considered getting CCTV. The incident has changed my judgement.

"That the boys can do this shows that society has a problem and it is everyone's responsibility. They obviously feel they can behave in this way in the community and not have to face any repercussions."