Two boys held over ravine 'assault'

Apr 5 2009

Two boys aged 10 and 11 are in police custody after an assault in which another boy received life-threatening injuries.

A fourth boy was also seriously injured in the incident, which took place in Edlington, Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

Police were called to the Brick Ponds area of Edlington at around 2.20pm on Saturday to reports that an injured child had been spotted on Auburn Street by a member of the public.

The nine-year-old boy, who had suffered facial injuries and an injured arm, was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary for treatment.

After further investigation, police then found a critically injured boy at a nearby ravine.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "An 11-year-old boy was found partially conscious with life-threatening injuries to his head. He was air-lifted to Sheffield Children's Hospital and placed in intensive care."

The boy's condition was described as critical but stable.

The two suspects, who were found by police in allotments near the ravine, are being interviewed by detectives.

Officers are making house-to-house visits and a police spokesman said there was a "visible police presence" in the Edlington area.