Boy who ‘dropped a copy of the Quran at Wakefield school’ left ‘petrified’ by death threats

The mother of one of four boys suspended after ‘accidentally’ dropping a copy of the Quran at a school in Wakefield has said her autistic son, 14, has received death threats.

West Yorkshire Police recorded a ‘hate incident’ at Kettlethorpe High School after pupils ‘slightly damaged’ a copy of the Quran when it fell to the floor.

The Year 10 boy was told by friends to turn in a copy of the holy book as a forfeiture for losing a video game.

It was then reportedly dropped, causing damage and wear to the pages.

All four pupils involved in the incident at the West Yorkshire school suspended and the police notified.

False rumors that the book had been burned raised concerns among parents and local leaders, who discussed the incident with police at a rally at the local mosque. Stock image

False rumors that the book had been burned raised concerns among parents and local leaders, who discussed the incident with police at a rally at the local mosque.

In a video widely shared on social media, the 14-year-old’s mother was filmed apologizing to members of the local community for the damage, while revealing that he had been “petrified” by death threats.

She said, “He had no malicious intent, but he’s a very, very silly 14-year-old boy.”

She described his actions as “incredibly disrespectful,” but added that he is “utterly mortified” and is “very, very apologetic and very remorseful.”

She continued, “He’s beside himself. He’s very sorry.

“He has received death threats, he has received threats that he will be beaten up when he goes back to school. He’s absolutely terrified.’

Officers investigating the incident found that only “minor damage” had been done to the Quran during the prank and no crime had been committed.

It was registered as a “non-criminal hate incident,” a designation police use to record those who do not meet the criminal threshold.

Headmaster Tudor Griffiths said there was ‘no malicious intent’ but that the students’ actions were ‘unacceptable’ because they ‘did not treat the Quran with the respect it should have’.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Suella Braverman today expressed concern about police involvement in the incident.

A source close to Mrs. Braverman told The Times: ‘These are very worrying reports.

“The Home Secretary is clear that police response must always be proportionate and consider the welfare of young children a priority over perceived insults.”

Humanists UK called the decision to suspend the boys “appalling” and said the school had been pressured by a religious group into excessive disciplinary action.

West Yorkshire Police said: ‘We are aware of local and national concerns following an incident at Kettlethorpe High School in Wakefield last week.

A source close to Suella Braverman questioned whether the police response was “proportionate.”

“Police were made aware of an incident that had taken place at the school earlier that day on Thursday evening, February 23.

“The initial investigations confirmed that minor damage had been done to a religious text.

“We have registered a hate incident, but our investigation shows that no criminal offenses have been committed.

A malicious communication offense has also been reported in connection with threats to a child in connection with this incident.

“A suspect was identified, who was also a child, and they were advised by an officer.

“We will continue to maintain contact with the school and our community police officers are conducting additional reassurance patrols in the area.”

The school is ten miles from Batley Grammar School, which was the focus of parent protests in 2021 after a teacher was suspended for showing his pupils an image of the Prophet Muhammad.