WARRINGTON Borough Council has apologised to the family of a four-year-old boy who was attacked in the town centre by a vulnerable adult.

Steve Reddy, assistant director at the council, issued the apology this week after an inquiry from the Guardian.

It follows an incident on August 2 when Woolston toddler Joel Butler was grabbed next to the Cockhedge Centre by a man with learning difficulties under the care of social services.

Mum Jennifer, of Dorset Way, first realised what was happening after hearing her son’s shouts.

“It was behind me when it happened – I thought it was an accident,” she said.

“But the CCTV shows him running after my son and throwing him into the air.

“I remember him grinning, that he was so excited, flapping his arms around.

“The carer said she was really sorry.”

The vulnerable adult was with one female support worker at the time.

Joel was taken to Warrington Hospital with a suspected broken jaw after hitting his head on the pavement.

There was no break but the Woolston Community Primary School pupil suffered cuts, bruises and bit through his tongue.

In the weeks following the attack he was anxious, according to Mrs Butler.

Her nine-year-old son Leon and six-year-old daughter Ashlea also witnessed it and both now refuse to visit that part of the town centre.

The 37-year-old said: “Joel still talks about the ‘nasty man’ that got him. It has affected him. It has had an impact on all of us.”

Cheshire Police investigated the incident but have since closed the case.

Mrs Butler received a letter from council bosses in December to say measures had been put into place to prevent the incident from happening again.

But the mum-of six added: “The letter made me really angry – they’ve implemented it after it has happened. Why did they put my child at risk?”

Steve Reddy, assistant director of adult social care the council, said: “We would like to apologise to the family for any distress caused and reassure them that additional measures have been put into place following a review, however this was t