‘Bullied’ Joleon Lescott reveals torment

JOLEON LESCOTT has revealed the pain he suffered at being bullied at school over the distinctive scars on his forehead.

Lescott was taunted growing up over the marks resulting from injuries he suffered in a car accident which nearly killed him when he was five.

And Manchester City’s £24million defender said the experience of dealing with such a trauma had made him stronger as a person and as a player.

“The accident is something I’ve had to live with,” said Lescott. “It was quite difficult growing up because the scars are visible and kids tend to make fun of stuff like that.

“It was hard to take and painful at times. There would be times when I’d go home to my mum and ask ‘why is this happening to me?’.

“My friends were totally different and they were always there for me and didn’t pay any attention to the scars.

“And nobody has ever asked me about it at any of the clubs I’ve ever been. I’m not sure if they already knew what had happened but it’s never been an issue.”

Lescott, 27, admitted he had a very vague recollection of the accident.

“I don’t recall everything that happened but I spoke with my mum about it,” said Lescott.

“I was crossing the road aged five and when the lollipop lady stepped out into the road I followed her.

“There was a car coming and when she saw it wasn’t going to stop she stepped back but I was still in the path of the car that hit me and then everything became a blur.

“I woke up in hospital where I spent a number of months and underwent a number of operations and skin grafts while I was there.”