Four school bullies may get away with it

The attackers of an 11-year-old boy hospitalised after a schoolyard fight last week were back at school the following day - and may escape being punished for the fight.

Police were called to Bruce McLaren Intermediate School after the incident and the victim, who broke his neck when he was 4 years old, was taken to Starship Hospital.

Principal David Crickmer said the boy had a few bruises and a bump on his head and was taken to hospital because he complained of neck pain. He was released that night.

Mr Crickmer said the school was very firm on bullying and students had been stood down for violence before. But he had not decided whether to punish the four 12-year-olds who witnesses said attacked the boy.

"I will be absolutely, scrupulously fair. It would be very easy to say, 'I've got to make a stance'. I don't want that," he said. "I've got to do what's right." He said the boys were "at a very vigorous age".

A student who witnessed the attack told the Herald on Sunday the victim was shaking and crying after the fight, but the other boys "went off laughing".

He said the fight started when the victim grabbed one boy's hat, and they started pushing each other. The four began punching and kicking the victim. "Then he fell on the ground and all of them kicked him. He got back up and tried to walk away, but the other boy grabbed him... they kicked him in the stomach, one ... strangled him."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY