Autistic teen set on fire with blow torch while vile work colleagues laughed at his pain

An autistic teenager suffered horrific burn injuries after being set on fire with a blow torch by his vile bullies who laughed at his pain.

The boy, who worked at a garage in Wesham, Lancashire, was attacked during his shift by four of his male colleagues on July 1 last year. CCTV footage showed the men chasing him into the building where they used an accelerant to ignite a blow torch which they then aimed at his leg.

He suffered burns to his upper thighs and later attended a health centre where he told staff what had happened. The attack was immediately reported to the police, LancsLive reports.

READ MORE:Gang GUILTY of plotting to avenge 16-year-old leader's murder in revenge attack

A police investigation revealed that the teen, who worked at the garage as an apprentice, had suffered increasing abuse and bullying. The court heard how on the day of the attack three of the men chased him around the unit while aiming the blow torch and accelerant at him.

CCTV showed a fourth man leaning against a door to prevent the victim's escape. The offenders eventually stopped and were seen laughing after having left the boy in immense pain.

Police interviewed the men, who were later given summons to appear at court. The group pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to a total of 63 months in prison.

Det Con Jordan McDonald, of Blackpool CID, said: “This was a horrendous attack which left the victim, a young man with autism, seriously injured.

“The men preyed upon his vulnerabilities, carrying out escalating threats which ultimately resulted in the victim being chased inside the locked garage, cornered by the offenders and set on fire, causing burns to his upper thighs.

“The bullying and abuse was revealed once