THE parents of a boy who was targeted by a stranger at Hull Fair have spoken of their terror at the thought of losing him.
Daniel Banasik, 28, grabbed the five-year-old boy, who was holding his mum's hand at the fair last October.
She held on tightly to her son's trouser leg to stop Banasik taking him.
It is believed Bansik was working as part of an organised gang looking for children to abduct.
He has now been convicted of attempted child abduction at Hull Crown Court.
The boy's mum said: "They had gone to take our boy. They selected him.
"I just thank God I was holding his hand tightly.
"I had spotted the man acting funny before it happened, looking at babies and children.
"You just never expect it to happen to you and your children. It is a parent's worst nightmare.
"We may not have seen him again."
The mum said she is now fearful of taking her son – who can't be identified for legal reasons – to busy areas, including supermarkets.
She said: "I am just paranoid now of everyone who passes us. I even make him sit in the shopping trolley when we go to the supermarket so no one can grab him.
"My son keeps asking me to take him to Flamingo Land or the zoo and I'm terrified to take him in case it happens again. I don't even let him ride his bike in the street in front of the house.
"There is always going to be some sick person in the world and I just cannot rest now.
"I would just urge parents to keep hold of the children's hands."
The mum screamed for her partner following the attempted snatch and he rang the police while following Banasik.
At least eight other people joined the chase and helped apprehend Banasik and bring him to justice.
The boy's stepdad said: "I wanted to kill him but my wife told me to call the police.
"We are just so grateful to all the people who helped us.
"We can't thank the public spiritedness of the people who were at Hull Fair enough.
"There were about eight people who helped us and followed him with us after it happened.
"We are just so grateful to everyone who helped us to bring him to justice."
The eye-witnesses saw Banasik with other people and believed he was working as part of an organised gang targeting children.
One man with him was arrested and released without charge. The others were not caught.
The boy's stepdad said "We believe he was targeted. It is awful knowing there are still two other people out there who I believe were involved in this and we do not know what they are doing or what they are up to."
10
