A PAIR of Worcester twins have begun school - but cannot share the same lessons after an horrific assault changed their lives.

The four-year-olds, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, are at separate schools because of the attack.

The boy is joining in the fun with classmates at an east Worcester infants school, while his sister has started at a special needs school in the city.

The girl was the victim of an assault by her father when she was just just eight weeks old. He shook her violently when she would not stop crying.

"She's at a brilliant school, which meets her needs," said her mother.

"She has visual impairment problems and several learning difficulties, but until she's older we won't know what the main problem is. All we can do now is hope for the best.

"I left her at school on the first day and she was quite clingy and I had to sneak off.

"She's settled in very well.

"Her brother is a typical active four-year-old, but a lot of his fun gets spoilt as she doesn't understand he's playing nicely.

"He's very good with her. I think they've got the twin bond."

The twins' father was sentenced to two years in prison by Worcester Crown Court in December 1999. The incident happened in April 1998.

"It's of no benefit to the children for him to be in their lives. He's not been in contact with them," added their mother.

Disgusting

"It's disgusting he did only half his sentence and she has got to live with that for the rest of her life.

"I dread the day when I tell her brother why she is like that. We don't know how he will react.

"I hate saying she is brain-damaged. We could have wrapped her up in cotton wool but we wanted to give her the best life she could have.

"The worst thing is she was born normal and should be going to school with her brother."