AN Irvine mum has told of her terror after her son had to be tested for HIV after he was allegedly "chased and stabbed" by someone carrying a used needle outside of a youth club.

Kelly Scott, 37, says her 10-year-old son Eddie was pricked in the hand by a discarded needle on Sunday night (March 4) after being chased by an older boy who, she claims was carrying the needle.

Kelly says Eddie was one of six children who came into contact with the dirty needle and along with other parents, she and husband Alexander now face an anxious wait on blood test results following the horrifying incident at Redburn Community Centre.

She told The Times: "We only found out about this last night (Monday),
but apparently Eddie was chased by an older kid who had found this
needle near the skip. He chased him and Eddie ran away and jumped a
fence but when he jumped it he caught him and stabbed him in the hand
with the needle.

"We called the police as soon as Eddie told us and they advised us to
go straight to hospital, which we did. Eddie had to have blood tests
and we are now waiting for the results of an HIV test."

Kelly says news of the blood tests has already led to online bulling.

She said: "Other kids have already started saying he has AIDS and HIV. It's absolutely disgusting. That test is just routine for anyone who has come into contact with a dirty needle. People really need to make sure their kids are more aware of these things. My 10-year-old should not have to be even aware of any of this but this is what we are having to deal with.

"I am a wreck just thinking about the whole thing. I can't believe my boy was out playing with his pals and it has ended up turning into this."

The Castlepark mum says the six kids who were there at the time have all been to Crosshouse Hospital had to be tested, and the boy who allegedly stabbed Eddie with the needle has been reported and the Castlepark Primary School have been made aware.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: "An incident regarding several
children suffering needle stick injuries has been reported to police.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances of the incident which occurred on Sunday evening, 4 March 2018 in the Castlepark area of Irvine."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We were notified of the incident by our partners at Police Scotland and our Streetscene officers visited the site on Monday and removed a number of needles.

"The team are carrying out further checks today. We would urge anyone to contact us if they come across discarded needles and we will remove them safely.

“The parents have been offered support and guidance through the local primary school.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Ayrshire and Arran said: "NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Public Health Department has been made aware of an incident where a group of young children discovered a discarded needle outside a local facility.

"A risk assessment was carried out on the children involved. While the
risk of exposure to any blood borne virus is extremely low, NHS Ayrshire & Arran has taken some precautions to ensure the health and safety of the children involved.

"We would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public, particularly children, not to pick up or touch any discarded needles, and to inform the local authority, who will arrange for the needle to be removed."