Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

A man who was allegedly attacked by a group of teenagers while defending his 11-year-old son and wife has called for an increased police presence at Caerphilly’s Morgan Jones Park.

Simon Cook from Bryncenydd, Caerphilly, has been left fearing for his family’s safety after he claims he was punched in the face by a teenager while defending his son, Meilyr, and wife, Lisa.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer about the incident, the former council worker said: “It was a sunny afternoon and my wife said she’d take our son down the park to use his scooter. I said I’d meet them there in an hour or so as we live close by.

“By the time I arrived, I could tell Lisa was quite upset and found the pair of them sitting on a bench near the skatepark.”

Mrs Cook explained to her husband that a group of boys had been “bullying” Meilyr, allegedly making fun of his clothes as well as throwing his scooter down a banking. Mrs Cook also said that they hurled verbal abuse at her.

Mr Cook continued: “I went over to the boys and asked them ‘which one of you has been picking on my son?’. They wouldn’t tell me and began making fun of what I was wearing. I’m quite thick-skinned so it didn’t bother me but they continued anyway.”

The 50-year-old then walked off after ‘making his point’, before taking Meilyr back on the ramps at the skatepark, making sure he wouldn’t receive anymore abuse.

The group of teenagers, who Mr Cook guessed to be around the age of 15, allegedly approached Mr Cook once more. He explained: “They started on me again and became more and more abusive, calling me names such as ‘nonce’.

“Three of boys started offering me on, before one of them pushed me. I turned away not looking for trouble before I felt a punch to the side of my face.

“I was taken aback but stayed on my feet. I blocked a few more punches as the other two boys surrounded me. They tried to push me down the banking but I found my feet thankfully. I honestly think they’d have done me in if I went down.”

After the alleged incident, which took place on Sunday July 23, Mr Cook described his family as “shook-up”, but is more concerned over the safety of others in the park during the school holidays.

He said: “If they’d do this to a man of my age then god knows what they’d do to my son if he was there on his own. There are going to be hundreds of kids using that park everyday and we need to do more to protect them.

“I worked in the council myself and there just aren’t the number of staff there used to be, especially on weekends. I’m aware more CCTV was put in place but we need to see wardens in the park to act as a visual deterrent.

“We wont be letting Meilyr go down there on his own throughout the summer and we worry about him walking through there when he starts comprehensive school in September.”

Morgan Jones ward councillor Shayne Cook said this was a “disgusting attack” and added: “We have had little to no complaints since installing CCTV and as unfortunate as it is, an incident like this can happen anywhere at any time. I urge residents and users of the park to report incidents and I will lobby for more patrols.

“I’ve asked the police what they’re doing about this incident specifically but on the whole it’s no different from any other area.”

Simon Cook added: “I wouldn’t normally bother complaining about something like this, I’m aware the police are busy, but our son is a loving kid who would never get into any trouble and frankly we’re scared.”

Gwent Police has said enquiries are ongoing and encourage anyone with information to contact them on 101 or through direct message on Facebook or Twitter, quoting reference 2300245398.