The mother of a young woman with Down's Syndrome has criticised society's 'uncaring minority' after her daughter's friend was slapped in the face.

Vicky Baron, left, and Jenna Witcher

The incident happened in Evans Lane, Kidlington, in the evening of Sunday, June 23, as Jenna Witcher, 17, and Vicky Baron, 28 -- who both have the genetic disorder -- walked between each other's houses to listen to some music.

Jenna's mother, Christine Witcher, an Oxfordshire county councillor, said the assault seemed to have happened at 6pm.

She said: "Jenna was really upset. She said a girl had slapped Vicky across the face, laughed and rode off.

"We say we are a caring society and the majority are, but a minority aren't."

Mrs Witcher said the girls had some money stolen from a purse last month when they visited Evans Lane recreation ground together. She said: "You fight for them to be independent, and social services also want them to be independent, and then you find they can't even walk down their own street."

The girl who hit Vicky's face is believed to be aged 11 to 14, with shoulder-length straight hair.

Vicky has lived in Evans Lane with her uncle, Maurice Billington, for 18 months.

Mr Billington, a former Conservative councillor on Cherwell District Council, said someone had tried to take Vicky's house keys from her recently.

He said the same culprit might be responsible for all the incidents and he was concerned for the girls' welfare.

He said: "They are very trusting. It worries me to death that they are going to get attacked."

Mr Billington planned to make an official report to the police on Monday, June 23.