Teenagers will face charges over Pilton 'happy slap' attack

POLICE in Barnstaple have charged two teenage girls with the assault of a Pilton schoolgirl. The 15-year-old was allegedly punched and threatened with a knife in a so-called happy slapping attack at Pilton Community College on the day pupils went back t

POLICE in Barnstaple have charged two teenage girls with the assault of a Pilton schoolgirl.

The 15-year-old was allegedly punched and threatened with a knife in a so-called "happy slapping" attack at Pilton Community College on the day pupils went back to school after their six-week summer break on September 3.

The lunch-time assault, filmed on a mobile phone camera, happened outside the school grounds in Abbey Road.

Yesterday morning (Friday), police charged two girls, aged 15 and 16, with possession of a bladed article in a public place, and with assault by beating. The girls, who can not be named for legal reasons, have been bailed to appear before Barnstaple Youth Court on November 17.