Fund set up after ‘brutal’ and ‘senseless’ attack

Scott (17) who remains in intensive care at the Royal Victoria Hospital is left with head injuries that are so severe that he has remained in a coma since he was discovered around 9pm on Friday, 30 hours after he went missing.

The Lisburn branch of the Autism Northern Ireland who met on Monday evening want the fund set up to help Scott’s family. One of the members of the group also set up a Facebook page, Justice for Scott, where there are now over 2,500 members.

Over 30 officers were involved in the search for Scott after he went missing. He was found by a dog handler, who knew the area of the Laganbank Road.

According to the police Scott was last seen at Beechland Drive around 3.30pm on Thursday.

He had been attending college on a work related Mencap course and had left the college at 3.10pm with a friend on Thursday. He went to play football at Castle Gardens with the same friend just yards from the South Eastern Regional College.

Five minutes later Scott left Castle Gardens and parted company with his friend at Market Square. The last known confirmed sighting was at Beechland Drive at around 3.35pm on Thursday.

When he failed to return home he was reported missing by his mother at 10.12pm on Thursday September 6.

Detective Inspector Chris St John, who is leading the investigation said that it was totally uncharacteristic for Scott not to return home causing concern amongst his family.

“A police investigation was launched as soon as the missing persons report was made by Scott’s mother,” he said. “She stated to police that it was very out of character for Scott not to come home as his autism meant he required a degree of structure and routine to his day.

“We are appealing for anyone who saw Scott in this almost 30 hour window to contact us as a matter of urgency. We need to know where Scott was during this time, who he was with, what he was doing and gather as much information as possible that could help us establish when Scott was attacked and by whom.

“We need to know why Scott does not appear on CCTV anywhere in the City after Thursday afternoon. Was he in a car, a house, a party, were you with him or know someone who was? Did you speak to Scott on Thursday either in person, via telephone or social media? Do you know what his plans were?”

When last seen Scott was wearing a dark blue jacket with light blue patches on the shoulder, a dark blue top, dark jeans, trainers and a West Ham beanie hat.. He is 6’ 3’ of a heavy build with short dark hair and we are sure someone must remember seeing him at some point within this time period.

“Investigating officers are also very interested in hearing from anyone who saw people or vehicles in the area of the furniture showroom at any point between 3.35pm on Thursday and 9pm on Friday,” continued Mr St John.

Lisburn Area Commander Chief Inspector Darrin Jones, called the beating a brutal and senseless act.

“Everyone in Lisburn has been left shocked by this brutal and senseless attack on a vulnerable young man,” he said.

“Scott is just 17 years old and has been living in the Lisburn area for six years after moving here with his mother and two younger brothers. He attended the local college where he was well liked and had a good circle of friends.

“This pleasant and unassuming young man is now lying unconscious in a hospital bed, critically injured. We know local people are disgusted by what has happened and want to do anything they can to help us bring those responsible for this sickening attack to justice.

“That is why I am asking anyone with any scrap of information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact us. Help us find those responsible.”

The investigating officers can be contacted at the Lisburn CID offices by calling 0845 600 8000.