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An autistic teenager who plummeted from a 50ft bridge onto rocks and broke his spine in four places has been told he will never walk again.

Joshua Davies’ family believe he was running away from a gang in Pontypridd when he slipped and fell on to the rocky riverbed, breaking his arms, legs, feet and spine.

Stepdad Michael Morgan said: "Joshua and his friend were walking by the river, when they realised some boys were following them.

"They heard them shout ‘there they are – let’s get them!’ and climbed on to the steel supports of the bridge to get away."

The 35-year-old from Pontypridd said the gang had then started to throw stones at his stepson.

"One of the stones hit Joshua on the shoulder, then another hit him on his heel and he lost his grip and fell," he said.

Michael believes his stepson fell nearly 50ft and landed partially in the River Taff and partially on the rocky bank below the bridge in Broadway.

Joshua was taken to the University Hospital of Wales at around 3.30pm on Sunday, August 17.

(Image: www.photographybylorna.co.uk)

According to his family, the 18-year-old, who went to Hawthorn High School, Pontypridd, has been bullied by the gang for the last five years.

Michael said: "He has been forced to avoid certain areas, which has made him a prisoner in his own community. He has felt threatened and been constantly on edge – all because he is an easy target."

Joshua was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when he was 14.

"He is very trusting and can be easily manipulated," said Michael.

"He does not always have a sense of danger. We have tried to instil it into him, but you can’t wrap him up in cotton wool, although now I wish we had done."

According to his family, Joshua was attacked by members of the gang earlier this summer when he refused to buy them alcohol.

"He came out of the local corner shop and one of the boys jumped on his back and started hitting him on the back of his head," said Michael.

"That was the only time he defended himself and he was arrested and charged, which made him scared to defend himself again."

Mum Cheryl Morgan, 44, added: "Joshua is not a fighter."

On another occasion, his parents say Joshua was chased into a local supermarket, where a security guard helped him to escape through the back door, while the manager called the police.

Michael said: "It is all bravado on the part of the bullies. Joshua looks like a fully-grown man, but really it is like picking on a child."

He claimed his stepson had approached the police for help on more than 15 occasions, but believed he had not been taken seriously.

He said: "I believe this could have been prevented. Joshua reported having issues with these boys before, but his problems were brushed under the carpet because they thought he was messing around."

Cheryl, who is a full-time carer for her other son Michael, who also has autism, said: "I think this could have been prevented if the police had listened to him."

Detective Inspector David Peart said: "I can confirm that South Wales Police responded to allegations of assault on three separate occasions between April 2011 and June 2014.

"On each occasion, a thorough investigation took place and appropriate action was taken. There is no evidence to suggest that the incident which took place on August 17 is connected."

Joshua was due to start a course in electrical engineering and construction this week, but is still in hospital and has been told the course is not suitable for wheelchairs.

The teenager is recovering in the University Hospital of Wales where he has undergone three operations, and will not be able to sit up for six weeks.

He will then move to Rookwood Hospital where he is expected to spend the next six months.

Although he has been told he will never walk again, his family say he remains "upbeat".

"These are life-changing injuries – he has been paralysed from the waist down and is going to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life," said Michael.

"But he is just happy to be alive. When he was on the floor, he thought he was not going to make it."

South Wales Police have confirmed three youths – two aged 15 and one aged 16 – have been arrested following the incident and remain on police bail while enquiries continue.

Anyone with information should contact South Wales Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.