A 12-year-old boy escaped with cuts and bruises to his face following an attack by a stranger while walking home from school.

Michael Greene kicked out and screamed for his pals when he was grabbed from behind after leaving Wycliffe Church of England Middle School, Shipley.

The attacker pounced as Michael walked down Back Saltaire Road and threw him to the ground.

And he has been praised by his mother Pat Greene, 52, of Annie Street, Windhill, said for shouting out and calling for his friends.

"He is absolutely devastated but I think he has been exceptionally lucky in not getting hurt more than he is. He did everything right by kicking and screaming and making as much noise as possible.

"By calling out his friends' names the attacker must have thought they were nearby."

Michael had been playing with friends who had left to walk home in the opposite direction.

He walked down Back Saltaire Road to meet up with others who were walking his way, but had only got half way down the road when the attack happened.

Michael claimed the attacker appeared from nowhere and it was as though he had been waiting for someone.

After he was thrown to the ground the youngster made his escape and caught up with his friends who found a teacher and took him back to school.

Wycliffe headteacher David Hartley said: "We are very shocked.

"It appears that an adult has done this who had no relationship with Michael at all. We got hold of his mum immediately and phoned the police. The school did everything it could to help."

Michael was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary but was later released with no injuries.

"We have had to keep him off school because he has been so shocked," said Mrs Greene. "We are just hoping everything gets back to normal soon. But we want other parents to be aware of this and keep their kids safe."

The attacker is described as a white male, bald but with hair around the sides of his head and dirty hands. It is claimed he smelt strongly of alcohol and cigarettes.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Middleton at Eccleshill police on Bradford (01274) 376059.

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