Cradley Heath teenagers charged with racially-aggravated assault
Six teenagers have been charged with abusing members of the Asian community as they made their way to and from mosque prayers.
An investigation began in October following reports of verbal abuse and assaults against worshippers in Cradley Heath, Birmingham.
One boy, 17, is accused of punching and kicking two men, aged 68 and 70, and slapping an eight-year-old boy.
The alleged attacks took place outside the Plant Street mosque.
Five other boys - two 16-year-olds, two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old, all from Cradley Heath - have also been charged with racially-aggravated harassment and criminal damage to a motor vehicle.
The six have been bailed and are due to appear at Sandwell Youth Court on 3 February.
All but the youngest suspect have also been charged with criminal damage in relation to an allegation they surrounded and kicked a 58-year-old man's car in Reddal Hill Road, causing damage bad enough to write the vehicle off.