Police launch appeal after autistic boy, Eamonn Finn, 16, slashed across neck by three teenagers

The boy, who rarely ventures outside on his own, was targeted in an unprovoked attack

A mother has made an emotional appeal to the public to help police find three teenagers who attacked her autistic son, whom she says is “lucky to be alive”.

Eamonn Finn, 16, continues to suffers from nightmares after three teenagers chased him and slashed his neck, in an unprovoked attack in Pimlico, central London, in June said his mother, Margaret Finn.

Finn was on his way to a youth club - one of only a few occasions when he had walked anywhere alone.

Police have renewed their appeal to catch the boys responsible, after a photo Ms Finn posted on Facebook of her son’s wounds was shared nearly 200,000 times.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Dave Bolton said it was “sheer luck” that the attackers missed Eamonn’s artery.

Speaking at Scotland Yard's headquarters in central London today, Ms Finn said: “I strongly believe someone does know who did this to my child. I would appeal to them to contact the police and do the right thing.

"He's still having dreams about the event. He says 'I think about those boys a lot and what they did to me.'

"It's really hard for me to talk about without getting emotional because there is no one who could invite this less than Finn. He's such an amazing young man and he deserves some closure and we don't have that at the moment."

Ms Finn said she had “real concerns” that if the culprits were not caught, another victim “might not be as lucky”.

"He's lucky to be alive as far as I'm concerned," she said.

"It's really impacted on his independence. Anyone who has a child with autism knows that's really hard fought for.

"In Eamonn's case that was two years in the making. That's gone now. We're having to start from scratch."

Scotland Yard has released CCTV footage of Finn being chased by the boys as he walked alone to a youth centre at around 7:20pm on 4 June.

During the incident, one attacker asked Finn what he was looking for.

Ms Finn said the gang were "immediately abusive, confrontational and aggressive" which frightened her son before he ran away. He fled along Regency Street close to the junction with Causton Street.

He was then slashed across the neck with an unknown weapon and was treated in hospital for his wounds.

"He clearly didn't want trouble," said his mother.

"He was running away and they chased him. That's what is so difficult. They pursued him.

"I don't think there's all bad in everyone. I hope there's a part of them that realises they did something wrong but they can do something right now," he added.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Dave Bolton said: "The victim is a vulnerable young person and this was one of only a few times he has walked anywhere alone. For some unknown reason the three suspects have taken umbrage to him and attacked him with no provocation and no known reason.

"“I would like to appeal to the public for their help to identify these males."

The suspects were described by the victim as black or Hispanic males. One was wearing a blue Adidas top and another was described as being around 16 years old.

Anyone with information is asked to call police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.