Man sues boy, 13, over holiday stabbing

A businessman is suing a 13-year-old London boy he claims stabbed him in the stomach while he was on holiday in Tenerife.

Mike Weaver, 46, required emergency surgery after the eight-inch blade perforated his bowel but he was unable to press charges as the teenager fell below the Spanish age of criminal responsibility.

Mr Weaver, who runs a radio communications business, is now demanding several thousands pounds in damages after his insurance-company agreed to fund a civil case in Britain.

He was left close to death after the attack in May when the boy attacked him with a steak knife during a poolside row between Mr Weaver and the boy's family.

The two families were staying in Los Cristianos when Mr Weaver, from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, reprimanded the teenager for punching his 14-year-old son, Ben, in the face.

The boy's mother and stepfather became involved in a heated exchange with Mr Weaver when he said he felt a "big thump" in the side of his stomach.

Mr Weaver said: "I am taking action for injuries and loss of earnings. If the boy can't afford to pay I can go after his parents for the money."

Police in this country can prosecute an offender over the age of 10.