A 13-year-old girl has been “traumatised for life” after being “battered” on a train.
Ruby, from North Shields, broke her wrist in the sickening 15-minute attack, despite begging her attackers to stop hurting her.
The harrowing footage was broadcast on Snapchat. It shows the teenager being repeatedly kicked and punched in the head. Her hair is also pulled by female aggressors who shout profanities at her.
During the onslaught, a terrified Ruby, with tears rolling down her cheeks, pleads: “Please leave us alone.”
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, her aunt, Tammie Barclay, said: “They held her captive on the Metro and they asked for money to stop beating her up.”
Ruby got on the Tyne and Wear Metro at Whitley Bay on Friday afternoon (April 4) before a group got on shortly after. Police say she was then attacked by “two females”, until they reached the stop at St James’ station.
Ruby, who was with a friend, gave the attackers £10 but her aunt said: “They still carried on beating her up. She’s got chunks of her hair missing out of her head as well.
“It lasted roughly 15 minutes. They were pulling her hair, punching the top of her head rapidly, and she has got a broken wrist.”
Asked how her niece was, Tammie said she was understandably “shaken up” and added: “She will have trauma for the rest of her life because of this – she will be scared to go to school and everything and face everyone.”
Ruby’s family contacted the police about the incident and they said an investigation is taking place.
Tammie later set up a GoFundMe page and put the target at just £30 so Ruby’s money and coat, which had been “ripped to shreds”, could be replaced.
However, she said: “I woke up the next day and it was over a £1,000. I couldn’t believe it.”
As for Ruby’s reaction, Tammie added: “She is literally overwhelmed with it. I was sitting reading all the comments out to her because the first post went viral and had over 5.9k shares on it.
“I was trying to read as many appropriate ones as I could to her. She just got overwhelmed and was crying to be honest.”
At the time of publishing, more than £3,600 had been raised, and Tammie wrote on the fundraiser: “Thank you everyone. Please stop donations. Ruby has got more than enough to have a lovely day out.
“Do not send any more money please there is over £3k. That’s a lot of money to a little girl. Thank you everyone, Ruby is over the moon.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 7.55pm on Friday, April 4, we received a report of a disturbance near to Wallsend Metro Station.
“Officers attended where it was reported a teenage girl had been assaulted by two other females while on board the train. Those involved had already left the area before police arrival.
“The victim – aged 13 – was left shaken by the incident and was taken to hospital to be checked over. She has since been discharged and is being supported by officers.”
Anyone with information can get in touch by sending the force a message on social media, by using live chat, report forms on their website or by calling 101 with crime reference number 037869Q/25.
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