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| Sikh teen lied about hair attack | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A 15-year-old Sikh boy who claimed he had his hair cut off by racist thugs has admitted he made the attack up. | A 15-year-old Sikh boy who claimed he had his hair cut off by racist thugs has admitted he made the attack up. |
| The boy from Edinburgh reported the alleged racist attack in November and the case was widely publicised. | The boy from Edinburgh reported the alleged racist attack in November and the case was widely publicised. |
| The cutting of his hair was an act which was seen as deeply insulting to the Sikh faith. | The cutting of his hair was an act which was seen as deeply insulting to the Sikh faith. |
| Lothian and Borders Police confirmed the attack had not taken place and said the boy had expressed remorse. They said no further action would be taken. | Lothian and Borders Police confirmed the attack had not taken place and said the boy had expressed remorse. They said no further action would be taken. |
| More than 200 Sikhs from around the UK gathered in Edinburgh to hold a two-hour prayer vigil following the boy's claims. | More than 200 Sikhs from around the UK gathered in Edinburgh to hold a two-hour prayer vigil following the boy's claims. |
| The boy had originally said he had been subjected to racial abuse in the park before being kicked to the ground by four white youths. | The boy had originally said he had been subjected to racial abuse in the park before being kicked to the ground by four white youths. |
| Religious symbol | |
| However it emerged later that the teenager had in fact punched himself in the face and cut off his own hair. | |
| Hair is a religious symbol for Sikhs and it is strictly against their faith to have it shorn. | |
| Lothian and Borders Police mounted a large-scale investigation into the youngster's claims, setting up a dedicated text service and email address for people to contact them and also visiting local high schools. | |
| But it is understood that when officers spoke to the boy again, he told them he had done it himself. | |
| Deep regret | |
| The teenager is believed to have had personal problems and was also having cultural identity issues brought about by differences between his Sikh upbringing and Western society. | |
| A police spokeswoman said: "The boy has expressed deep regret for what he has done." | |
| Police officers sent a report on the incident to the procurator fiscal but it is understood the teenager will not face charges for wasting police time because a prosecution is not felt to be in the public interest. |