A FAMILY have lodged a complaint after a police officer allegedly lifted their 10-year-old son off the floor by his jumper and called him a “horrible child” when he was caught playing truant.

Cwmbran pupil Jordan Matthews skipped school moments after he was dropped off at the gates of Blenheim Road Primary on Monday morning, his parents said.

His worried mum, Sarah Wheeler, called the police in an attempt to trace him but claims he was manhandled when officers found him in a Cwmbran street later that morning.

Jordan’s dad, Carlos Matthews, said they had complained to Gwent Police and also got in touch with the board of governors of the school.

Ms Wheeler told the Argus how after calling the police, she went with officers in a van to find Jordan and spotted her son in Two Locks, Cwmbran, at around 10.15am.

Ms Wheeler, 27, of Cae Derwen, Cwmbran, said: “I wasn’t particularly happy. I agree with him being told off for running away from the school.

“But I don’t agree with him being lifted off the floor by his jumper and called names.

“He was quite distressed after that but he stayed at the school all day.”

Ms Wheeler said Jordan skipped school again on Tuesday [September 29] and his family said they had decided to keep him at home until next week.

Ms Wheeler is at a loss to understand why her son has avoided school.

She said Jordan did not have issues with school attendance in previous years and stressed that it only became an issue at the start of this term.

The family said they expected to get feedback from Gwent Police shortly.

Gwent Police said that officers from their professional standards department had made enquiries into the matter adding they were speaking to all parties involved to resolve the issue.