Police call off inquiry into fire 'attack' on boy

(First Edition)

POLICE yesterday called off their inquiry into allegations that a man set fire to a seven-year-old boy's face because they no longer believe the attack took place.

They reached the conclusion after hearing witness accounts of the alleged attack on Derek Cripps on Wednesday. Derek and his friend Paul Guglieri, eight, claimed they were attacked while they were playing in King George's Park, Wandsworth, south London.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Witnesses have come forward. As a result and from our own inquiries we are satisfied that an assault as alleged did not take place.'

There will be no further action on the case and the inquiry has been closed.

Derek is undergoing treatment in the burns unit of Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, south London.