'Happy slapping' gang batters couple in UK

Police were investigating an alleged “Happy Slapping” incident today which left a young couple with head injuries.

Steve and Mirryn Lloyd were walking through Liverpool, England, when they were attacked by a gang of around 10 youths.

They knocked Mr Lloyd, 24, to the floor and began punching and kicking him.

When Mrs Lloyd, 25, tried to stop them she was headbutted by a boy and punched in the face by a girl.

The victims suffered cuts and bruises to the head and face.

Mrs Lloyd told the Liverpool Echo that she believed it was a so-called “happy slapping“, in which random assaults are recorded for the amusement of the attackers.

She said: “One of the lads was stood pointing his mobile phone at Steve. He was definitely videoing it. It was like one of those happy slapping things.”

Mr Lloyd added: “It makes you scared of walking down the street at night.”

The attack took place at 10pm last Monday, as Mr and Mrs Lloyd walked home from a night out in Liverpool city centre.

Superintendent Geoff Sloan, of Merseyside Police, said the assault was being investigated but dismissed the term “happy slapping“.

He said: “I think it is important to point out that crimes of this nature, and this one is being thoroughly investigated with the use of CCTV, are recorded as assault and dealt with appropriately, according to the severity of the incident.

“The term ’happy slapping’ is a media creation. Crimes are not reported or recorded as such. A term like this can be seen as trivialising what is in fact a serious criminal offence, and can also give the offender a level of kudos, when their action could carry a custodial sentence.”