An autistic teenager from East Devon who was beaten by thugs in Axminster has been left so traumatised by the savage attack he takes anti-depressants, suffers flashbacks, and cannot go out alone.

In September 2024, Ethan, now aged 20, was forced to flee for safety in West Street Co-op when he was chased from the street by four teenage thugs who pushed him to the ground, kicked him in the head, and broke his nose.

An autistic teenager from East Devon who was beaten by thugs in Axminster has been left so traumatised by the savage attack he takes anti-depressants, suffers flashbacks, and cannot go out alone.

Some four months ago in September 2024, Ethan, now aged 20, was forced to flee for safety in West Street Co-op when he was chased from the street by four teenage thugs who pushed him to the ground, kicked him in the head, and broke his nose.

Ethan’s mum, Emma Taylor, has hit out at ‘useless’ police for their lack of action to identify and find the culprits, now turning detective herself to seek justice for her son.

She is urging parents of the teen thugs to shop their kids to the police, believing they would have returned home with shoes and clothes covered in her son’s blood.

Emma is demanding the police ‘step-up’ and find the four thugs. She said the investigation is ‘very low scale’ and ‘just taking forever’.

Mum-of-five Emma, 41, said: “I think it’s absolutely appalling on the police’s behalf. I know they are short-staffed and there’s a shortage of police, but there’s not been anyone pursuing this. I am literally pulling my hair out.

“The degree of the attack was horrific; they are kicking people in the head. I could have been arranging a funeral, instead I’m having to use my own willpower to find out who these people are.”

She added: “The police have been useless on this. I feel really let down. I feel there’s no justice. I am worried that it’s now the end of January and nobody has been dealt with.” 

Ethan, who spent a night in hospital after the unprovoked attack by four strangers, suffered a fractured nose, torn eyebrow, and was left bloodied and bruised by two teenage girls, and two teenage boys.

He fled in fear as he walked through Axminster town centre to see his nan, when he was chased by four strangers at around 8pm on Saturday, September 14, 2024.

Ethan ran into the Co-op store, believing he would be safe surrounded by customers.

But the hooded teens, aged between 15 and 19 years old, followed him into the store and carried out a brutal attack in front of a stunned shoppers.

Emma’s son, who did not fight back, was pushed to the floor, beaten and kicked. His blood spilled over the shop floor and onto nearby parcel lockers.

Emma, who works as door security in Exeter, said: “There was a footprint on his arm where they stamped on him, and his head was kicked which is what split his eyebrow open down to the bone.

“He ran into the Co-op as he thought that’s where he’d be safe. Clearly, it’s not safe anywhere anymore. They were chasing him with their hoods up.

“It’s awful and I’m more than angry. He’s dealing with a lot of mental flashbacks from it all.”

She said: “It was a horrific experience. As a parent I feel really sick for him.” 

Emma urged anyone who knew the culprits’ identities to tell the police.

 “I’m sure their parents must know. There was blood everywhere so they would have had blood on their clothes or shoes.

“He is still suffering and so is his younger brother, after going to the scene with my mum and seeing all the blood everywhere.”  

Ethan had been on the way to meet his nan when four hooded youths sitting outside a nearby church gave chase.

Fast runner Ethan sped off towards Co-op to seek safety inside, believing the hooded teens would stop at the door.

“They chased him inside the Co-op,” said Emma. “He lost his shoe. They caught up with him, they beat him to a pulp.

“This was carried out in full view of shoppers. Imagine what could have happened if he hadn’t run in the Co-op for safety.”

Emma said: “The thing that worries me is they weren’t even put off by the fact they were in a public shop and still carried out this degree of violence on a single person.”

Ethan’s mum believes any witnesses who saw the attack were too scared to intervene, or speak to police.

“That’s why I’m pleading as a mum if they know the names to come forward anonymously to the police,” she said. 

“Since the attack he has been on anti-depressants and he doesn’t go out on his own. He goes out with my mum, or he is dropped off or picked up.

Ethan was taken to hospital by ambulance for an overnight stay, plus a CT scan on his battered head. His eyebrow, torn to the bone, was glued by medics.

His mum said his autism meant Ethan was unable to cope with having his broken nose realigned, and faces paying for the fix later in life. 
Emma said the attack on Ethan has impacted all her children, and turned her into an overprotective mum who fears them going out alone.

Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police were called to West Street, Axminster on 14 September following reports of an assault.

“A male victim was kicked and punched numerous times to the head and body by a number of individuals.

“He was taken to hospital for treatment.

“Enquiries into the matter are ongoing.”

The Co-op was approached for a comment but is yet to respond.