POLICE have arrested a 54-year-old man on suspicion of assaulting a schoolboy.
Officers questioned the man, from Southend, in connection with the attack on eight-year-old Bradley Hawes as he walked to Hamstel Junior School last Monday.
Bradley’s parents contacted us after the incident.
The youngster said a man got out of a car, shouted and swore at him and grabbed him around the throat.
He was walking along Poynings Avenue with his brother Jordan, nine, and a group of friends at about 8.30am when the incident happened.
Another group of children were throwing stones and it is thought it may have been a case of mistaken identity.
The children went straight to school and reported the incident to teachers, who called the police.
Bradley’s mum Charlene Hawes, 27, of Whittingham Avenue, Southend, said Bradley was now scared to go out alone.
Police issued a description of a man they wanted to talk to and a witness came forward to speak to police.
The man was arrested on suspicion of assault.
He has been bailed until November 14.
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