A mum has spoken of her horror after her disabled teenage daughter was attacked in Oldham town centre.
Kayleigh Richards, 13, was on her way to meet a friend when she was set upon by a gang of teenagers outside Sports Direct, on High Street, on Monday afternoon (April 10).
The horrific attack was caught on video footage and has since been shared on social media. The clip shows a number of girls attacking Kayleigh.
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One can be seen grabbing hold of her hair before another steps in and throws several punches at her.
After Kayleigh falls to the ground, the second girl then climbs on top of her and continues her attack while others appear to cheer her on. At one point, a person out of shot is seen to kick Kayleigh in her midriff.
Moments later, a man intervenes and breaks up the attack. Natalie Lynch, Kayleigh's mother, said her daughter was on her way to meet a friend at the cinema when she was confronted by the group.
"She was walking through town when she has seen this group," she said. "She turned around to walk away and they have all cornered her.
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"They've victimised somebody who is disabled. My daughter has special educational needs and mobility issues. She can't defend herself."
Ms Lynch said her daughter's hair was 'ripped out' during the brutal attack, which happened at about 4.20pm. She said she 'felt sick' after learning what had happened when she received a phone call from a woman who helped her daughter after witnessing the attack.
She said the woman, who gave her name as Rachel, escorted Kayleigh home afterwards.
"I can't thank her enough," she said. "Kayleigh was just shaking and was so quiet.
"Her hair was coming out in clumps. It was awful."
Ms Lynch said she later learned that footage of the attack had been shared on Snapchat. She described the actions of those responsible as 'disgusting'.
"They're just a bunch of animals to do what they did," she added. "It makes me feel sick.
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"There's no reason for them to do what they did. She was on her own.
"How can they do that to a total stranger? I've not slept since and I feel sick. She doesn't really go out.
"I'm trying to give her that bit of freedom and independence to meet her friend and then something like this happens."
Ms Lynch said she decided to take Kayleigh to hospital to get her checked over following the attack. Fortunately, she did not suffer any serious injuries.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said the force was 'aware of a video circulating on social media of an attack on a teenage girl in Oldham'.
They added: "Police are investigating and enquiries are ongoing at this stage."
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