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 they ‘accidentally’ dropped a copy of the Quran at a Wakefield school has said her autistic son, 14, has been receiving death threats. 

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

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

It was then reportedly dropped, causing some damage and scuffing to the pages.  All four pupils involved in the incident at the West Yorkshire school were suspended and the police informed.

Officers investigating the incident found there had been only ‘minor damage’ to the Quran during the prank and that no crime had been committed.  It was recorded as a ‘non-crime hate incident’, a designation the police use to record those not meeting the criminal threshold. 

But one of the boys, who has autism, has received death threats and is petrified, his mother has said.

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

False rumours the book had been burnt prompted concern among parents and local leaders, who discussed the incident with police during a meeting at the local mosque. Stock image 

False rumours the book had been burnt prompted concern among parents and local leaders, who discussed the incident with police during a meeting at the local mosque. 

In a video shared widely on social media, the mother of the 14-year-old was filmed apologising to members of the local community for the damage as she revealed he has been left ‘petrified’ by death threats.

She said: ‘He didn’t have any malicious intent, but he’s a very, very silly 14-year-old boy.’

She described his actions as ‘incredibly disrespectful’ but added he is ‘utterly mortified’ and is ‘very, very apologetic ad very remorseful.’

She continued: ‘He is beside himself. He’s very, very sorry.

‘He has received death threats, he has received threats that he will be beaten up if he goes back to school. He’s absolutely petrified.’

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

Meanwhile Home Secretary Suella Braverman today raised concerns over the police’s involvement in the incident. 

A source close to Ms Braverman told The Times: ‘These are very concerning reports. 

‘The home secretary is clear that the police response should always be proportionate and consider the welfare of young children as a priority over any perceived insults.’ 

Humanists UK called the decision to suspend the boys ‘horrendous’ and said the school had allowed itself to be ‘pressured into excessive disciplinary action by a religious group’.

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 on the evening of Thursday, 23 February, of an incident that had occurred at the school earlier that day. 

‘Initial enquiries confirmed that minor damage was caused to a religious text. 

‘We have recorded a hate incident, but from our enquiries are satisfied that no criminal offences were committed.

‘A report was also made of a malicious communications offence in relation to threats being made to a child in connection with this incident. 

‘A suspect was identified, who was also a child, and they were given words of advice by an officer.

‘We are continuing to liaise with the school and our neighbourhood 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.