 A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy was showered in glass in the back of a car after an apparent pipe-bomb attack. Rhys Owen was travelling with his mother Gillian and her partner Paul McCann in Knotty Ash when Mischief Night yobs struck. Mr McCann, 40, stopped in Thomas Lane after a missile hit the side of the car. Glass shattered and covered Rhys. When they got out of the car, a gang of youths laughed and shouted at the family before running away. Rhys was unharmed, but shaken. He is now refusing to get back into a car. Mr McCann said he found broken piping and stones on the ground nearby. He believes a firework and stones were packed into the pipe and hurled at the car. Police investigating the incident today said they thought it could have been a rock thrown at the car, but the family insisted it was an explosion. Mr McCann said: “The sound of this missile was definitely an explosion, not a rock. “I can’t believe it happened, my girlfriend was crying her eyes out and we were both worried for Rhys.” Chief Inspector Ian Roche said: “Thankfully no-one was injured – however this could have had a much more serious outcome.” There were 12 arrests in Merseyside on Mischief Night and Hallowe’en, mainly for criminal damage and public order offences. Police took 30 youngsters off the streets and called their parents. Merseyside Fire Service seized 150kg of fireworks. Police said calls were down 38% compared to last year. A spokesman said: “Highly visible police patrols formed part of a proportionate and considered approach. “A high level of service was maintained in answering and responding to emergency calls for service.” Anyone with information about the incident on Thomas Lane should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Yobs’ brick ends charity night out for city children >>> | 
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