Boy, 13, brutally slashed in shocking knife attack as child, 12, is arrested

The father of a teenage boy brutally slashed in a shocking knife attack has spoken of the ‘surreal’ few days his family has gone through.

Joseph Mahgagahbow, 13, suffered serious wounds following a sickening attack as a scrap turned to violence in Thornaby, Teeside, on Tuesday.

The teeanger staggered home covered in blood after allegedly being slashed to the wrist and chest by another boy with a knife on a field.

He was taken to hospital and patched up before returning home later that day.

Joseph’s dad, Juan, 47, has praised his son’s mental strength and says he has already returned to his school, Thornaby Academy, as he looks to move forward.

He said: ‘His wounds, at the moment, are still covered up with the bandages, they will be getting changed soon.

‘He has been sleeping alright but he can’t lay in certain positions, he gets uncomfortable.

‘He obviously can’t sleep on the wounds but other than that he’s been sleeping alright. The last few days have felt a bit surreal – like a dream.’

Mr Mahgagahbow, a HGV driver, added: ‘It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for me, from shocked to angry to being scared sometimes.

‘I have tried to equip him with everything he needs to be able to look after himself but you just don’t expect bullies to be walking around with knives.

‘I’m glad his hands were up. It could have hit his face, it could have hit his neck, it could have been very serious.’

The family have received many messages of support and offers of help – from as far away as Australia and Scotland.

Mr Mahgagahbow said a stranger even set-up a GoFundMe page to raise money to put a smile on Joe’s face.

He said: ‘This is a person from Glasgow that doesn’t know him at all.

‘I have told him any money raised, put it towards children with more needs. Joe doesn’t need the money, he’s just happy people are out there thinking about him.’

Joseph’s mum, Jayne Mahgagahbow, said at the time how he was ‘covered in blood’ after the incident which started as a schoolboy scuffle before another youngster allegedly waded in with the blade.

She said: ‘The knife just cut through like butter.

‘Joe was covered in blood, I looked and it was just like open, you could see all the fatty tissue.

‘I was shocked, I was calm in front of Joe because I didn’t want to panic him. I just took him straight to the hospital.’

Cleveland Police arrested a 12-year-old boy on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after the incident.

The youngster was released under investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on the 101 non-emergency number quoting crime number 076348.