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An autistic boy was stabbed in the neck for 'looking at someone funny' while on his way to a youth club.

Eamonn Finn, 16, was walking to a youth group for people with disabilities, when he came across three men - believed to be in their teens to early twenties.

Before he could reach the end of his road, one of the men yelled, ‘What are you f**ng looking at?’ before lunging at him.

Scared and confused, Eamonn started to run, but was caught by his attacker and stabbed in the neck - millimetres from his jugular artery.

Outraged mum Margaret Finn is so desperate for her son’s attackers to be caught that she posted a picture of his injuries on social media site Facebook.

The picture went viral being shared more than 36,200 times.

Ms Finn, of Millbank, Westminster, said: “Eamonn is autistic and part of that means he doesn’t make a lot of eye contact.

“The only way he could have possibly been looking at anyone funny is at a glance. He was carrying an iPhone, headphones and a little money but none of that was taken.

“This was just a vicious, unprovoked attack.”

Discovering he was bleeding from his neck, Eamonn began to run home but bumped into a police officer on the way.

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He was taken to St Mary’s Hospital where his mum was called.

She said: “I was frantic. I had already called him three or four times because I’d checked and he hadn’t turned up for youth group.

“When the police called and said he had been stabbed in the neck I collapsed. The minute you hear neck, head or chest you know there is intent to fatally injure.

“I was picked up by the police and blue-lighted to the hospital. As soon as I got there and I saw him sitting up I was so relieved.

“Then I just felt full of rage.”

Having spent two years building up the confidence to do things such a walking the dog, nipping to the shops or making his way to youth group, Eamonn now feels as though his little independence has been taken away.

Explaining how he felt after the ordeal, he said: “I felt very sad because I had been hurt and frightened.”

Ms Finn said: “They did far more than stab him, they’ve also taken away the only bit of independence he had, which took us almost two years to prepare him for.

“I’m now too frightened to let him back out, and I’m getting the fallout from that too. I am really beginning to think the boys who tried to kill my son are going to get away with it.

“He obviously didn’t pose a threat because he was running in the opposite direction.

“As a mum with an autistic son you are constantly trying to see the world through their eyes. It’s heartbreaking that someone would attack a boy so vulnerable.”

The attack happened at 7:20pm on June 4 on Regency Street, close to the junction with Causton Street, having been chased a short distance along the road.

The suspects are described as Hispanic and/or black and in their late teens or early twenties.

Eamonn’s attacker has curly wet-look hair and was wearing a grey jumper.

The other two had very close shaved haircuts and darker clothing.

Detectives from Westminster are investigating and are yet to discover a motive for the attack.

Detective Constable Krishan Kapur, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “This appears to have been a random attack on a teenager who was heading to meet friends at a local youth club.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw the assault to contact police. It is fortunate that the victim’s injuries were not more severe as he was lashed across the neck.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Westminster CID on 07500 766464 or via 101. To remain anonymous please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.