manchester news
Thursday, 11th August 2005
Named and shamed for act of ‘savagery’
James Ferguson  Jason BrassingtonLast week a district judge described the actions of five Oldham teenagers – Michael Culkin, Brandon Crossley, Stephen Lees, Jason Brassington and James Peters – as “pure savagery” that struck “a sense of revulsion in the hearts of all decent people”.
A court was told how two 11-year-olds were beaten to the floor and a 14-year-old, who stepped in to help, was punched, hit with a log, stamped on and kicked unconscious. Throughout the attack, which took place in the grounds of Counthill School in September, 2004, the young attackers screamed racist abuse.
But this week one of the five, former Counthill pupil Jason Brassington was described by his grandparents as “a happy, loving child”, who enjoyed playing with his two brothers, both of whom are of mixed race
As the 17-year-old began a 16-month sentence, Jason’s granddad George, who lives in Alt, said: “This is the worst thing he could have done. If Jason had stolen a car I would have been upset with him, but bullying children is something else.
“What he did was a terrible thing. It’s not in his nature. He should be punished and he knows that. He is my grandson and I still love him but I don’t know what got into his head.
“I can’t understand what’s happened. He was a very friendly child, very lovable. He used to even hug the lollipop lady on his way home from school.”
George said Jason’s mother Ann, 40, now lives in a hostel, but Jason could not move with her because he was too old. Instead he had been staying with some friends in Sholver.
Retired labourer George said Jason, who went to Alt and Clarksfield primary schools, has never known his father.
He said Jason’s mother often kept him at home on the Oldham council estate where they lived to make sure he stayed out of trouble. Jason went to Counthill School as a teenager but, according to his grandfather, stopped attending regularly after he was bullied by Asian youths.
George added: “Jason wanted to go to school but his mum went in and said he would not go back until the trouble had been sorted out.”
In February this year Government inspectors criticised Counthill and the facility was put into special measures, with two years to improve or face being closed down. Troubleshooter Margaret Ryan has since taken over as headteacher and great improvements have been recorded.
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