ANGUISHED parents of two Thurrock children are facing a fine - or even jail - after refusing to send their offspring to a borough school because they fear they may be stabbed.

Grays School Media Arts College on Hathaway Road hit the headlines two weeks ago when violent videos showing its pupils brawling in the playground were posted on internet site youtube.' Now the Gazette has been contacted by the parents of two of its students who are determined their youngsters will not be put at risk in the school's classrooms.

The parents, who have asked to remain anonymous, say attacks already suffered by their children have forced them to withdraw them from school, even though Thurrock Council is threatening to fine them, or worse, if the boys are not sent back.

Police have confirmed they have investigated threats to one of the boys by another student, reportedly carrying a knife.

The alleged victim of the threat, the oldest boy of the two, said: "Back in November, I was in class, sitting by a computer. The teacher went out of the room. I was kicked in the head. It really hurt. I looked around and saw another boy filming the assault on his camera. I later saw the attack on youtube.

"A week later, I was outside school when the same boy came up to me and asked to look at my phone. I saw he had a nine inch knife in his hand. I was frightened. My mum arrived soon after and we called the police."

A police spokesman confirmed: "A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon"

"He was given a final warning and is subject to a programme set out by the Thurrock Young Offending Team."