18 May 2023 , 17:13
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The mum of an 11-year-old boy who was Tasered by police during a stand-off over a Burger King meal has demanded an apology for her son.
The youngster, who has learning difficulties and has not been named, was taken down by the 50,000 volt stun gun after being surrounded by officers at Craig Tara caravan park in Ayr, Scotland.
His mum said her son had been holding a butter knife after complaining about not getting a Burger King when the incident unfolded - and has branded his treatment “disgusting”.
She said she called officers to the park for help after her son had ran off when he grew upset over not being able to go to the fast food restaurant because it had shut.
The mum said her son had been holding a butter knife when a Taser was used (stock image) (PA)Footage emerged this week of the incident, reports the Daily Record, showing several officers asking the boy to put down his weapon.
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A second video filmed by the boy shows him telling the officers to “stop coming at me” before a Taser is discharged.
Speaking out after the clips were shared, the mum said: “I wasn’t having him portrayed as a little thug.
“They have just treated him like a criminal and he’s never been in trouble with police or at school. He’s a good boy who just got overwhelmed.
“He says one of them called him a ‘little maggot’. It’s just disgusting.”
Police Scotland said the late-night incident was “resolved with no serious injuries”, but the boy’s mum alleges that he has been left “traumatised” and now has a scar on his leg.
She believes the family deserve an apology from the force and has contacted a solicitor, claiming her son would've dropped the butter knife "if they had approached him more calmly.”
She is now calling for a police apology over the incident at Craig Tara caravan park in Ayr, Scotland back in March (Sunday Mail)The boy was taken to hospital following the incident, and has been unable to return to school full time.
Describing the effects on her boy, the mum said: “When he came home he was silent. All he did was sit in his room. He was just traumatised by it. Anybody would be.
“The more I spoke to people about this the more I realised I have a right and I can do something about this.
“Some people have been horrible, calling him a little thug. Now the story is out there I hope people will see it differently.”
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The United Nations Committee on the Rights of a Child has previously called for a ban of their use on youngsters.
Police Scotland have referred the incident to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Sunday Mail)A Police Scotland said: “‘The incident was resolved with no serious injuries.
“A Taser was discharged during this incident. As part of standard procedure, the circumstances of the incident were referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.”
A Pirc spokeswoman said: "Police Scotland referred the use of Taser to Pirc as is required.
"We are investigating the circumstances, and once our investigations are complete a report will be issued to the chief constable."
Responding to the mum’s claims regarding the incident, Police Scotland added: “As there is an ongoing PIRC investigation we are unable to comment.”