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Boys quizzed over attack on woman in wheelchair

TWO young boys have been arrested in connection with the "happy slapping" attack on a terminally-ill woman in a Kent town.

Wheelchair-bound Beverley McFarlane, 41, who suffers from lymphoma, was in Woolworth's store in Biggin Street, Dover at 12.45pm on Saturday, December 15, when she was targeted by a group of youths.

One of the youths hit a tin of chocolates she had resting on her knees, causing her alarm, and she was then hit on the back of the head. There were about four boys and two girls in the group.

Police appealed for witnesses to come forward and described the main offender as white, of slim build, with light mousey coloured hair, and was wearing a grey hooded top with a white t-shirt underneath.

After the attack, the group were seen looking at a mobile phone after and laughing and police believe it might have been filmed as a so-called "happy-slapping".

Detective Constable Becky Lown, who is investigating the assault, said: "This was a nasty, unprovoked assault on a defenceless lady in a wheelchair." She urged other young people who were in the group "to do the right thing" and come forward.

Two youths, aged 11 and 12, both from Dover, have been arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries.

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