Gabriel Wishart, ten, of Clifton, set on fire by teenagers in Ashton Park

11:00am Thursday 24th January 2013 in News Photograph of the Author Exclusive By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

Gabriel Wishart Gabriel Wishart

A TEN-YEAR-OLD boy was set on fire after being sprayed with an aerosol can in a York park.

Gabriel Wishart, of Bede Avenue, Clifton, was playing in Ashton Park when he was sprayed by a group of teenage boys who then set his clothes on fire.

The Burton Green Primary School pupil dropped to the floor and rolled in the snow to put out the flames.

North Yorkshire Police called the incident “extremely concerning” and are undertaking extra patrols in the area.

Peter Wishart, Gabriel’s father, said: “The group of teenagers were setting each other on fire.

“That’s when they came over to my son. They sprayed him on his leg and set it alight. He rolled in the snow.

“Thank God it didn’t burn him.“It could have been a lot worse – it could have caught hold of him and burnt him. It’s irresponsible behaviour with potentially dangerous consequences.

“It’s a form of intimidation. The park is there for younger children and I don’t want them to do it again. They need to know someone has taken notice.

“My wife is horrified. Anything could have happened and we would not have been there to do anything about it.”

Police will be undertaking extra patrols in Ashton Park to reassure people and crack down on antisocial behaviour, a spokesman said.

Sgt Ed Noble, of the Clifton Moor police team, said: “This is an extremely concerning incident, which we are treating very seriously.

“We are working closely with local schools to both identify those responsible and to educate pupils about the dangers of the type of behaviour and the potential consequences.

He added: “I am also asking local shopkeepers not to sell cigarette lighters and accelerants such as aerosol cans to young people.”

Gabriel had initially not told his parents about the incident, which happened at about 6pm on Tuesday, but they noticed he appeared shaken when he returned home. The matter was reported to Gabriel’s school, which alerted police, after two fellow pupils who saw what happened reported it.

Karen Tatham, head teacher of Burton Green Primary School, said the matter was reported to police yesterday. She said: “We are really pleased our safeguarding procedures in school are making sure children are safe in the community. We will be working closely with the local police.”

A fire service spokesman said: “Obviously we condemn this type of behaviour. In this instance the little boy involved was very lucky to escape without injury. We would like to remind everyone that aerosols are not toys, and that pressurised containers such as aerosol cans can explode when set on fire.”

If you know a young person who is playing with fire, visit northyorksfire.gov.uk/communitysafet/young-people/playing-with-fire

Comments(32)

jadestars says...
11:09am Thu 24 Jan 13

Disgusting ... It's about bloody time the parents of these idiots were educated on how to raise kids. After all, they are a product of their upbringing! Poor kid, he's lucky not to have been badly burned.

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bob the builder says...
11:26am Thu 24 Jan 13

I wouldn't let my wife walk out alone, let alone my child. The police and the rest of us are let down by lax law and politicians in this country while allowing criminal elements a free reign of terror, and if they get caught, they get free bed and board with Sky TV and games consoles - what a deterrent!

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akuma says...
11:28am Thu 24 Jan 13

I am surprised the comments are open on this story, and I suspect they will be deleted and it closed soon enough.

However, while they are open I would be willing to wager that if the kids responsible are caught, said parents will protest how their little angel would never do anything like that, and they are in fact a "good boy" and it must have been someone leading him astray.

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yorkborn66 says...
12:35pm Thu 24 Jan 13

akuma wrote:
I am surprised the comments are open on this story, and I suspect they will be deleted and it closed soon enough.

However, while they are open I would be willing to wager that if the kids responsible are caught, said parents will protest how their little angel would never do anything like that, and they are in fact a "good boy" and it must have been someone leading him astray.
Totally agree : Pleased the boy is ok

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xxwitchyxx says...
12:37pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Someone will know who these little gits are. Do the responsible thing and report them before they injure or kill someone next time.

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Rosieposie says...
12:41pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Yee gods what sort of people are these kids going to grow up to be....we all did daft things as kids but aerosols and fire.....sounds like a need for more science teaching and plenty of discipline. Hope they didn't sniff them as well.....that can be instant death.
It makes me fear for the future....

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Theapplesarecoming says...
1:13pm Thu 24 Jan 13

I live right next to the park The press came to our house apparently a local has said that this happens all the time in our area I have to say my dad and mum have lived there all their lives and can count the amount of trouble there has been on one hand ,the area is lovely just a shame about the Xbox generation kids faffing about , should have not touched the 10 year old very serious thing to do indeed

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oi oi savaloy says...
1:13pm Thu 24 Jan 13

the police know who these scum are!
lots of track suited teenage scum in and around crichton avenue who's parents milk the benefits system and are probably in the corner house p*****g benefits money up the wall... get the kids and get the parents, stop all benefits to em and kick em out of the area so that this young lad can live a safe life.. i hope he isnt too traumatised by this...

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Bucktrout says...
1:16pm Thu 24 Jan 13

"Karen Tatham, head teacher, said: Our safeguarding procedures in school are making sure children are safe in the community."

What? After a kid has just been set on fire? Has she been drinking?

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A user says...
1:32pm Thu 24 Jan 13

That's right, get at the teachers!

Teachers can only provide education to the children in school. What happens outside has NOTHING to do with them. It has EVERYTHING to do with their parents.

I am in agreement with oi oi savaloy. However, not all bad kids come from 'poorer' backgrounds. This country of ours needs to get tough on crime. Too many politicians blowing hot air and doing little if anything to improve our society.

I wish Gabriel and his family a speedy recovery following their horrendous ordeal and hope the 'perps' are caught and dealt with quickly and severly.

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yorkborn66 says...
1:51pm Thu 24 Jan 13

A user wrote:
That's right, get at the teachers!

Teachers can only provide education to the children in school. What happens outside has NOTHING to do with them. It has EVERYTHING to do with their parents.

I am in agreement with oi oi savaloy. However, not all bad kids come from 'poorer' backgrounds. This country of ours needs to get tough on crime. Too many politicians blowing hot air and doing little if anything to improve our society.

I wish Gabriel and his family a speedy recovery following their horrendous ordeal and hope the 'perps' are caught and dealt with quickly and severly.
I have total sympathy for Teachers in general. I also totally agree with you regarding the background of children. So-called middle upper class parents are not exempt from this. Thinking they know better than others, been to liberal or not bothered about their children as long as they meet their targets at work and can pay for their Merc on HP. Their children then behave same as them.
It is the usual minority, of parents that cause these problems, but the problem is across the whole spectrum of parents. Think they are above the law and only think for themselves.

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AngryandFrustrated says...
2:10pm Thu 24 Jan 13

I agree - leave teachers out of this - they cannot control what happens outside school premises in a public park.

Am glad that Gabriel was seriously hurt - thank God he had the presence of mind to roll in the snow to put the flames out.

"Peter Wishart, Gabriel’s father, said: “The group of teenagers were setting each other on fire."

Well let's hope that Darwin's theory on natural selection kicks in soon - that way, the public won't have to pay NYP to look for them!

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SaywhatIthink says...
2:11pm Thu 24 Jan 13

To hear that a child has been set on fire, subject to nasty bullying tactics from other children who were older than him is vile. These kids need to be shown a bit of hard discipline, they should be made an example of and thier parents made accountable. I am glad the young boy is OK but my fear is now he is in the paper will the bullies just get more inventive next time. It should be stopped.

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south bronx red 2 says...
3:14pm Thu 24 Jan 13

The tone of this report feels very matter of fact and casual.
Teachers , police dont appear to be overly concerned. What 'local shops' are selling flamable liquids to minors ?
Bit like the underage drinking den of castle ox

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MouseHouse says...
3:18pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Stupid stupid stupid people. Those responsible need to learn the danger they are putting people in.

Please the chap concerned is ok.

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ReginaldBiscuit says...
4:29pm Thu 24 Jan 13

MouseHouse wrote:
Stupid stupid stupid people. Those responsible need to learn the danger they are putting people in.

Please the chap concerned is ok.
Children do incredibly stupid things. Expanded, the human race does incredibly stupid things. It's part of your programming as a human being.

'learn the danger' - those words. Powerful. If Gabriels' assailants had ever seen people on a burns unit or experienced burns themselves, this would undoubtedly shape their thinking. The problem is that there is a majority or uneducated or ill-educated humans so you get things like this.

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TT says...
5:33pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Lack of parental and school discipline. Take it back to when parents gave the discipline, and when they misbehaved in school they were punished properly. And got an extra wallop from the parents !

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Pedro says...
5:54pm Thu 24 Jan 13

I am glad the boy is OK. Why the comments are open is anyone's guess. What next jokes?

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yorkiemum says...
6:18pm Thu 24 Jan 13

What has it got to do with the school? It was 6 o'clock at night school had finished 3 hours before!! This is the trouble no one takes personal responsibility anymore and blames schools.

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capt spaulding says...
6:28pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Im just wondering who the parents rang first ?

The press or the police.
The police or the press.

The answer to that would be interesting.

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TT says...
6:29pm Thu 24 Jan 13

This single case has nothing to do with the school. But if children were given better dicipline long term by parents and schools, maybe right from wrong would be better ingrained ! The way things are at the moment, many of them have no idea how to behave.
The littering from youngsters from Huntington school along Huntington road is disgusting. Obviously not even been taught how to use a bin. The new takeaway just along from the school has made this problem even worse !

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anistasia says...
6:32pm Thu 24 Jan 13

These thugs should be caught send taken to a film show shown by the police, fire, nhs.show them what burnt skin looks like and to talk to people who have gone through it and how it affects their everyday lives.what would they think if their kids came home burned.they would want action so it did not happen again.just one more point raise the age for buying lighters, cigs and spray cans.what if there was no snow to put out the fire this child could of died.great he knew what to do and he's not injured.

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carolrow says...
6:32pm Thu 24 Jan 13

My name is Carol and I am the mother of Connor Rowntree who is 18 now. When Connor 15 he was messing about with a friend with aerolsols and petrol and was accidently set on fire. He was never expected to survive the extent of his injuries as no one had. He suffered full thickness (3rd & 4th degree) burns to 90% of his body. After spending a year in hospital and over 100 medical procedures Connor is now doing fantastic. 2 years ago he founded The Connor Rowntree Project and he goes into schools and pupil referral units all over the country showing the educational DVD he made with TWFRS ( You Tube "The Journey of Connor Rowntree". He talks to kids and shows them the consequences of messing with fire.

"If these kids seen the devastation and damage that is caused with messing about with fire maybe they would think twice"

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TT says...
6:50pm Thu 24 Jan 13

carolrow wrote:
My name is Carol and I am the mother of Connor Rowntree who is 18 now. When Connor 15 he was messing about with a friend with aerolsols and petrol and was accidently set on fire. He was never expected to survive the extent of his injuries as no one had. He suffered full thickness (3rd & 4th degree) burns to 90% of his body. After spending a year in hospital and over 100 medical procedures Connor is now doing fantastic. 2 years ago he founded The Connor Rowntree Project and he goes into schools and pupil referral units all over the country showing the educational DVD he made with TWFRS ( You Tube "The Journey of Connor Rowntree". He talks to kids and shows them the consequences of messing with fire.

"If these kids seen the devastation and damage that is caused with messing about with fire maybe they would think twice"
The problem is that some don't think. Your son is doing a food job now though. Good on him.

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TT says...
6:51pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Make that good job by the way. Finger trouble !

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carolrow says...
7:04pm Thu 24 Jan 13

If any of you has kids, get them to sit with you and watch Connors DVD.

It really makes them think about the dangers of fire. If it saves even one life or one family going through the horrific time we have then it's worth it!

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Rubber Lips says...
7:10pm Thu 24 Jan 13

After reading what you have wrote Carol, Ive just watched the film with a tears in my eyes!, I think the best thing for these kids who did this would be to watch this video. All the best to Connor, I will be tracking his story on the internet.

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carolrow says...
7:22pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Rubber Lips wrote:
After reading what you have wrote Carol, Ive just watched the film with a tears in my eyes!, I think the best thing for these kids who did this would be to watch this video. All the best to Connor, I will be tracking his story on the internet.
If anyone would like Connor to visit their school or their Fire Station to talk to kids, please pass on our details and you can contact Connor on Facebook page, The Connor Rowntree Project. If we can help in any way we will.

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spottycow says...
9:55pm Thu 24 Jan 13

THESE are not kids but young THUGS and they should be brought to book ASAP never mind do gooders getting their snouts in and saying these little darlings dont realise what theve done . GET your backsides in gear NYPD and arrest tem .

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TT says...
10:01pm Thu 24 Jan 13

spottycow wrote:
THESE are not kids but young THUGS and they should be brought to book ASAP never mind do gooders getting their snouts in and saying these little darlings dont realise what theve done . GET your backsides in gear NYPD and arrest tem .
Totally agree. Might stop a beating like the poor guy in Acomb got on Monday !

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TT says...
10:02pm Thu 24 Jan 13

spottycow wrote:
THESE are not kids but young THUGS and they should be brought to book ASAP never mind do gooders getting their snouts in and saying these little darlings dont realise what theve done . GET your backsides in gear NYPD and arrest tem .
Totally agree. Might stop a beating like the poor guy in Acomb got the other day !

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baldiebiker says...
6:52pm Fri 25 Jan 13

oi oi savaloy wrote:
the police know who these scum are!
lots of track suited teenage scum in and around crichton avenue who's parents milk the benefits system and are probably in the corner house p*****g benefits money up the wall... get the kids and get the parents, stop all benefits to em and kick em out of the area so that this young lad can live a safe life.. i hope he isnt too traumatised by this...
kick em out of the area
not to Selby, we've had your scum before, we don't want any more of your scum, we've got enough of our own.

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