A MOTHER whose son’s 16th birthday ended with gunshots and an alleged sex attack in a portable toilet has said it was “just a party that got out of hand.”

Police arrested four teenagers and a 22-year-old man following trouble at the party in the garage of a converted barn in Gagingwell, near Enstone, in the early hours of Sunday.

The party was held at the home of James Catling to mark his 16th birthday and attracted about 60 people.

During the party a girl said she was sexually assaulted in a toilet, thieves ran off with music equipment, a man suffered head injuries in a violent attack and a shotgun was fired.

Last night mother-of-three Becky Catling, who was supervising the party, said she believed her son’s party had been gatecrashed.

She added: “This was just a party which got out of hand.

“It’s very sad because this was just a few records being played in a garage.

“No one seems able to throw a party for their teenage children anymore without people coming along and trashing it.

“Things were taken and what is said to have happened in the portable toilet is horrible.

“It’s one of those parties which have gone wrong and very sad.

“It ruins it for everyone and puts people off having parties.”

The teenage girl said she was assaulted at about 11pm on Saturday.

About an hour later Ms Catling said music equipment including amplifiers and a mixing deck were stolen.

Shortly afterwards a shotgun was fired twice into the air and Ms Catling’s 20-year-old son Edward suffered cuts and bruises to his head during a violent assault, she added.

She said the party ended at about midnight.

Police arrived at about 1am and taped off the car port at the front of the home and began a forensic examination of the toilet.

Det Sgt Dick White, of Witney CID, said the shotgun incident and alleged sexual assault were being treated as separate incidents.

Ms Catling said police had visited the house last week and agreed the party could go ahead.

A party two years ago in a field at the house attracted complaints from neighbours.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “Everyone is very distressed.

“We are very angry – every time they have a party there is trouble.

“Gagingwell is only a small hamlet and everyone is very tired of this.”

Police arrested a 18-year-old man and two 16-year-old boys on suspicion of theft and sexual assault.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and a 17-year-old boy was held on suspicion of theft.

All five have been released by police on bail until March 24 pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Dick White at Witney CID on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk