A 13-year-old boy has sustained serious facial injuries after a stone was thrown through a taxi windscreen in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire. The incident happened at approximately 7:18 PM on Sunday, 1 March 2026, on Marton Road near the James Cook University Hospital.
Joey South was travelling in the vehicle when the stone shattered the glass, hitting him between the eyes and leaving him covered in blood. The teenager, who is a student at Macmillan Academy, required extensive stitches both inside and outside his face and remains traumatised by the event.
Cleveland Police reported that a group of children were seen throwing stones at several passing vehicles throughout the evening, causing significant damage. Officers have issued an urgent warning to parents and carers, asking them to explain the life-changing consequences of these dangerous actions to their children.
The boy’s mother, Maria South, said her son may be scarred for life and is now afraid to enter cars. Joey, who also runs a small business called JJ Bakes, is waiting to find out if there is permanent damage to his eyesight or nose.
Police are now appealing for anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from Marton Road between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM on the night of the incident to come forward. Information can be shared with the force by calling 101 and quoting the reference number 039113.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
