Two charged with wounding

From the archive, first published Friday 6th Apr 2007.

Two teenagers have been charged with wounding a terminally-ill youngster who was seriously injured in an incident near his Bradford home.

Dean Whitaker, 16, who has a rare and incurable kidney condition, suffered a fractured jaw and cheekbone, swelling to his lips and face and bruising to his arms, back and legs, during the incident as he walked through a snicket off Allerton Road, Allerton, in January.

Dean, of Bronshill Grove, Allerton, who needs kidney dialysis at hospital three times a week to stay alive, needed treatment at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

He had been to a local fish and chip shop with a friend for lunch and was walking home when the incident happened.

His illness, Crescentric Glomoral Nephritus, leaves him very tired. His bones are weak, he sometimes has to eat and drink through a straw and he weighs less than six stones.

Two youths were arrested on suspicion of wounding following the incident and were bailed by police for further inquiries.

Yesterday Detective Inspector Gerry O'Shea, of Bradford North CID, said two youths, aged 16 and 17, had been charged with wounding and would appear at Bradford Youth Court next week.