Loved ones of a disabled boy who cannot walk or talk were left in tears after a group of men made cruel jokes about him in the street.
Craig Rennoldson, 13, has cerebral palsy and is currently recovering from spinal surgery.
Returning from a check-up at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle shortly before Christmas, his family decided to enjoy a meal out together and headed to Pani’s restaurant.
But their good mood was destroyed when they say a group of men stumbled out of a nearby pub and began mocking Craig.
Laughing at him, one is claimed to have said to his friends: ‘What part of a cabbage can’t you eat? The wheelchair.’
Craig Rennoldson, who has cerebral palsy, was returning from a check-up at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with his father Jonathan, and mother, Lisa Henry (pictured), when they claim a group of men made cruel jokes about him
His mother Lisa Henry, from Seaham, County Durham, said she was appalled by the ‘vile’ jokes hurled at her family and wants to speak out to highlight the pain abuse like this can cause.
She said: ‘They were all absolutely in stitches, they thought it was hilarious. They were looking straight at us, not trying to hide at all.
‘We were absolutely devastated, I’ve never felt so humiliated. These guys were all about in their 40s, they were probably drunk, but that’s no excuse – it shows a total lack of thought.
‘I want people to see how vile it is to hear things like that. It’s hard enough caring for a disabled child without being targeted like that while we were minding our own business.’
Lisa, 46, said she hasn’t come across abuse like this before, and people are usually kind and accommodating towards Craig.
Initially too shocked to respond, Lisa was later reduced to tears by the jibes.
Her sadness began to affect Craig, who had previously been feeling happy and upbeat.
One allegedly said: ‘What part of a cabbage can’t you eat? The wheelchair.’ The 13-year-old, from Seaham, County Durham, cannot walk or talk because of his condition
Lisa said: ‘Craig is always happy, he’s got a lovely personality, a lovely sense of humour – I don’t see why he should have to put up with this sort of negativity’
Lisa added: ‘Craig is always happy, he’s got a lovely personality, a lovely sense of humour – I don’t see why he should have to put up with this sort of negativity.’
The incident was reported to Northumbria Police and the force is treating it as a hate crime.
Newcastle city centre sergeant, Andy Percival, said: ‘This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in this region or anywhere else in the UK.
‘Not only were the comments incredibly hurtful but the group made the victim and his mother feel incredibly intimidated as they walked through our city centre.
‘We are treating this as a hate crime and we would encourage anyone else who is targeted because of who they are to report the incident to police.
‘If you saw what happened on this occasion then please get in touch so we can have serious words with the men involved.’
Anyone with information that may help police should call officers on 101 quoting log 1046 23/12/17.
The family had been on their way to Pani’s Restaurant (pictured). His mother said she was left in tears after the incident. Northumbria Police are treating it as a hate crime