A six-year-old boy was kidnapped by a youth, badly injured and then abandoned in woodland, British police revealed today.
The child was abducted while playing with friends at a playground in Oxford in what was understood to have been a sexual assault.
His male attacker dragged him into a wooded area and assaulted the boy, leaving him with a broken shoulder and other serious injuries.
A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said: "The boy was then abandoned but managed to find his way home and was taken to hospital by his family."
The boy was kidnapped from a playground near Hilltop Road at 4.30pm on Sunday.
Police appealed for witnesses today after arresting and releasing a youth on bail, hours after the attack.
The attacker was thought to have led his victim along pathways running to the woodland near Southfield Golf Course.
Det Sgt Ian Richings said people walking their dog or taking a stroll may have spotted the boy being led away.
The boy was wearing a red T-shirt, dark trousers with blue and white trim and brown boots.
PA