Attack victim Mo awake but recognises no-one

But life for the popular 15-year-old is never going to be the same after he suffered severe brain damage in the assault, which happened shortly after 12.45am on Saturday, October 29.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Sloan, of the Sussex and Surrey Police major crime unit, who is leading a team of detectives investigating the case, said this week: “Mo has also opened his eyes for the first time since he was attacked, but he doesn’t recognise anyone.”

Mo’s distraught parents, Peter Bourner, from Hooe, and his former wife, Rahma Adan, from Bermondsey, have been keeping a vigil by Mo’s bedside in Kings College Hospital, Dulwich, where he has spent several weeks in a coma on a life support system.

DCI Sloan said: “The fact that he doesn’t even know his Mum and Dad shows just how serious the consequences of this assault have been, and Mo is still very ill. It is all the more vital that we find out who did this and bring that person to justice.”

He added: “We have had a good response to our appeal for information, but I feel there is still a key part of the jigsaw missing. I have to ask once again for anyone who may have something they have not yet disclosed to us to come forward as soon as possible.”

DCI Sloan said officers think that Mo’s assailant may well have talked to others about the attack soon after it occurred, and it is their help that is needed now.

He said: “Whether from misguided loyalty or fear of repercussions, we feel someone is holding back. But it is essential they put those feelings aside and contact us, which they can do in a variety of ways but in all cases with our utmost reassurance that it will be in strict confidence.”

In a bid to reach out to the community again and to focus wider attention on Mo’s plight, the case is to be highlighted on BBC1 television’s Crimewatch programme ,co-presented by Kirsty Young, Rav Wilding and Matthew Amroliwala, next Thursday, December 15 at 9pm.

Recent days have seen actors and a Crimewatch crew directed by Mel Rodrigues filming a reconstruction of the events which led up to Mo being punched while he was walking back into town with friends from a beach bonfire party at Glyne Gap.

DCI Sloan, who will be in Crimewatch’s Cardiff studios for next week’s broadcast, said: “We hope that it may jog people’s memories and bring further leads as to who was involved. We’re extremely grateful to Crimewatch for featuring the case and helping to focus attention on it.”

Anyone able to help police is asked to quote Operation Leverton and to dial 101; to send a private message on Facebook to: www.facebook.com/philmays; to text 07786 208090; to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or call at Bexhill police station in Terminus Road.

PICTURED: BBC’s Crimewatch filming on Bexhill seafront