A TEENAGER allegedly involved in a spray attack on a homeless man in Bolton town centre has reportedly apologised to his victim.

Hope 4 Homeless Bolton say a 15-year-old boy, who was interviewed by police under caution in relation to the incident, handed out clothing and money to Bolton’s homeless community last night.

The young man attended a police station voluntarily after shocking mobile phone footage of the attack near the entrance of McDonald’s in Knowsley Street went viral.

The video shows a hooded youth, egged on by his friends, spraying the side of McDonald’s with a fire extinguisher before turning it on a homeless man and engulfing him with white powder.

Greater Manchester Police said their investigation is still ongoing but no one has been arrested or charged.

Lucy Openshaw, from Hope 4 Homeless Bolton, said last night: “This evening the young man went onto the streets of Bolton and apologised directly to the victim, and also gave out clothing and money to the homeless community as a way of an apology.

“He is also going to be helping in Manchester giving out food to the homeless.

“We believe with some real life experience of what the homeless go through and some correct guidance by the volunteers at Hope 4 Homeless, we can help teach him what he did was unacceptable.

“He understands what he did was wrong and is looking to build bridges and apologise.

“We need to use this terrible incident as an opportunity to teach the youth of today about what the homeless go through and how they need the help of others, not to be a target.”

The Bolton News understands the 15-year-old has been suspended from his school while the incident is being investigated.

A police spokesman said: "With regards to the incident that took place outside McDonald's in Bolton town centre on Tuesday night, we can confirm that a young person attended Bolton police station voluntarily and was interviewed under caution for this matter.

"The investigation is still on going and we cannot comment further on the progress at this stage.

"Thank you all again for bringing this matter to our attention and offering helpful information.

"We would like to hear from any members of the public who witnessed the assault."

Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 8565619.

In separate incidents, last month Vinny Green, aged 50, was attacked in Knowsley Street near the Fred Dibnah statue by two men, leaving him with a blood clot on his brain that had to be removed.

In March, a teenager set fire to the possessions of a homeless man who was living under a bridge at the junction of Rupert Street and Liver Edge Lane in Great Lever.