My family and I were profoundly saddened and shocked to read of the gang attack on our young friend and former neighbour, Shane Williams (Oxford Mail, December 19).

Our eldest, son, Huw, now in his first year of computer science at Keble College, Oxford, spent the first seven years of his life in Barton and often played with Shane, whose sister, Siobhan, is the same age as our second son, Tom.

As neighbouring families we spent much time together and have always much admired how Mick Williams, in spite of troublesome health, has held his family together.

Whatever having “a mental age of a five- to seven-year-old” may mean, Shane and Huw got on because Shane has a gentle and generous nature, a friendliness and openess from which we can all learn.

We know from our time there that Barton is a strong and supportive neighbourhood, as exemplified by the leadership and dedication of such people as Sue Holden of Barton Community Association.

Shane Williams may have learning difficulties, but he is, above all else, a fine young man with great energy and enthusiasm, and certainly did not deserve to be treated as a human football.

BRUCE ROSS-SMITH, Bowness Avenue, Headington, Oxford