The family of an autistic boy who was left with a fractured eye socket after a gang of youths attacked him have called on the police to take action.

Rhys Philips, 18, has “become a shadow of himself” 10 months on from an assault which left him battered and bruised, according to his mum.

The sports student, who was 17 at the time, was in town with his younger cousin Danny, 15, on Monday, August 27, last year, when a group of around six youngsters approached them.

One of the boys allegedly threatened Danny, shouting at him and saying “if you kiss my shoes I’ll leave it”, before ushering the pair around the corner to Lord Street Car Park, Gravesend.

The group of youths then reportedly punched the 15-year-old before his older cousin Rhys jumped in the way.

The youngsters then allegedly targeted Rhys, punching and kicking him to the ground.

Mum Barbara Philips, of Livingstone Road, Gravesend, revealed the teenager now fears leaving the house.

She said: “He rang me on the day asking to get picked up and I just knew something was wrong.

“I was on my way and he rang again to say they were somewhere else, and I only found out later it was because they were being threatened to be stabbed by the group.

"It’s really affected him, he used to be talkative, but now he’s so quiet and won’t even come out of the house.

"He won’t ever come to town again and he won’t even go to his sister’s.”

DI Scott Machin, from the crime investigation department at Kent Police said: “We received a report that two teenage boys were assaulted by four boys, of similar age, in Eden Place, Gravesend, on Monday, August 27 2018.

“Officers reviewed all available evidence, including mobile phone footage of the incident, and interviewed four boys who had been named as suspects.

“In order to achieve the best possible outcome for the victim, medical records were requested from health care professionals so a charge of affray or violent disorder could be considered.

“On receipt of the medical evidence, and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, it was determined there was insufficient evidence to support any charges.

“Due to pursuing more serious charges, officers were unable to consider a charge of common assault, a lesser offence, because more than six months had passed since the date of the incident.”

Rhys’ sister Faye Philips, 32, has been left angered and annoyed by how the police have dealt with the situation.

“It’s been 10 months and it just seems like they don’t care. It’s not fair that my brother deals with the trauma of this while them boys walk around care free.

“We just want them to take some action.”

The Philips family say they were told there had been a ‘vicious’ video circulating of the incident.

Mandy Garford, chief executive of Autism South East, said: “Autistic children and adults can find it hard to interpret facial expressions and body language making it harder for them to tell when someone is being friendly or whether they intend to cause harm or hurt them.

“Autistic people are also more likely to be on their own and without a back up social network.

"These reasons and others can mean that incidents of attack and bullying of those on the spectrum are incredibly high.

“It’s always heartbreaking to hear of an attack on an autistic child, who are often more vulnerable than others, and the effects can be devastating for the victim and their family.

“Autistic children and adults will often battle with anxiety and struggle to face social situations.

"The long term effects of a trauma in these circumstances can make it extremely challenging to recover.

“They can end up with long-lasting insecurities, behavioural issues and low self-esteem, as well as poor concentration.

"They may refuse to take part in social situations because they are afraid of being bullied, attacked or experience stress-related illnesses. Some may go on to develop mental health illnesses.”

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