A BOLTON family who were pelted with stones by a youth because they were English have said they will never return to the Welsh town where the attack took place.

Lee and Paula Owen, who live in Bennetts Lane, Halliwell, were on the sixth day of a holiday to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary when they were subjected to racist abuse from a teenage hoodie.

The 16-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, threw rocks and stones at the family as they waited for a train in the small town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

One rock hit Mrs Owen on her arm and narrowly missed the couple’s daughter, Katie, aged two.

Mr Owen, who is part-Welsh, and his son, Charlie, aged 14, chased the youth and even tried to take a picture of him with a mobile phone. However, the teenager covered his face with the hooded jacket he was wearing.

Mrs Owen, aged 37, said: “I was shocked and horrified. I now know how ethnic minorities feel when they are subjected to racial abuse.

“I was in fear for my daughter because the rock missed her by inches. I was also worried about my husband and son because they chased after him. Anything could have happened.”

Mrs Owen, who works at the DRL call centre in Bolton, was taken to hospital in Bangor for x-rays after the attack and treated for a badly bruised arm.

She wore a sling for two days and the family cut short their holiday to return to Bolton.

She added: “I actually thought the boy had taken something but I was told that his behaviour was normal.

“It was an anniversary I will never forget but for all the wrong reasons. It has made me quite wary of hoodies. If that was my son behaving that way, I would be mortified. It is bad enough when you get a phone call from school, saying he hasn’t done his homework.”

Later at Dolgellau Youth Court, the youth pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

He was placed on a two year community order, given a three month curfew between 8pm and 6am, and ordered to pay £150 in compensation to the family.

He has also been ordered to write to the family to apologise for his behaviour.

The Owens were staying in their family caravan in Porthmadog and were visiting Mr Owen’s grandparents.

After the case, Mr Owen said: “I thought the sentence was quite lenient. I think the police wanted him to be sent to prison but he just got an electronic tag and community service. I don’t think it will bother him too much.”

The 32-year-old added: “It won’t put us off going to Wales to visit our family but we won’t be going back to Blaenau Ffestiniog.”

steven.thompson@theboltonnews.co.uk