A 14-YEAR-OLD pupil at Milford Haven School has been left with symptoms of ‘post-concussion syndrome’ after being bullied for being a vegan, his mother has claimed.
Dante, who joined the school in October, has since suffered ‘weeks of meat being thrown at him’, physical assaults, and in one instance a bully tried to force feed him bacon, the concerned parent claims.
The allegations follow a serious incident at Milford Haven School earlier this month in which a video of a pupil being assaulted was circulated on social media.
In the first incident in November, Dante was allegedly punched in the throat.
Talking in the national press, the boy’s mum, Rachel, described the first incident which happened in November: “Some boy just turned around and punched my boy in the throat.
“I’ve never been told the full story because the school don’t talk to you.”
Then, earlier this month, she says Dante was repeatedly punched as a boy attempted to shove bacon in his mouth.
Rachel continued: “They tried to force my son to eat bacon.
“There’s a group but one boy did the damage while the others watched. Dante got hold of the boy’s wrists to stop him putting meat in his mouth.
“But he headbutted my son then started repeatedly punching him on the side of the head on the temple.
“I got a phone call from the school to say Dante has had a head injury. They said there’s been an incident with a boy.
“I rushed to the school. His face was all red – he looked like a tomato. He had been headbutted.
“He came home and went to bed. He has never been in trouble in his life. He is not a violent child. It was an unprovoked attack.
“He is in bed now but he has got to go back to the school and to the same classes on Monday.
“It seems bullies are protected. Dante is really upset and so stressed out. He has become so reclusive.”
A medical report from Hywel Dda University Health Board, also published in the national press, describes Dante’s condition as: “Consistent with post-concussion syndrome, which is a well recognised feature following a head injury.
“Symptoms include impairment of daily function, persistent headaches, dizziness and memory problems.
“Symptoms may persist for several weeks before improving.”
Rachel also claims that the incident has negatively impacted her health: “This is making me physically sick and unable to sleep.”
A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson said: “The school has investigated the alleged incidents internally and the matter has been dealt with in accordance with the Governing Body’s approved policies and procedures.
“The school wishes to make clear that it takes the safeguarding of pupils and their school community as their prime consideration.”
Rachel now says that she has involved police in the matter. Dyfed-Powys Police has been contacted for comment.
