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Daniel Buddington, 14 told police he was held down against a wall and subjected to racist abuse by a group of europeans who dangled a snake close to him.

The young African suffered puncture wounds after the reptile bit him on his right arm.
Police investigating the incident in Bristol on Saturday said: "The teenager had been subjected to racist comments."

The boy suffered breathing difficulties after the attack and paramedics feared that the snake might have poisoned him. He was taken to Frenchay Hospital, Bristol where after consultation with a snake expert at Bristol Zoo the snake was identified as likely to be a non-venomous python. The terrified boy's breathing difficulties were assumed to be caused by panic.

A 9-year-old boy who had been playing with the victim before the incident said that the attack had been terrifying. The younger boy, who lives near the 14-year-old victim, said: “I was playing in the park with my friends when a group of older boys came up to us with some snakes. They pushed a 4ft-long snake towards [my friend] and it wrapped itself around his arm before biting him.”

Daniel’s mother, Junise said: "It makes me really upset, what has happened. You should be able to get along together whatever the colour of your skin.”