Justin Bieber may be a victim of bullying rather than responsible for assault

The 16-year-old singer is being investigated by police after being accused of hitting a 12-year-old boy in the face during a game of laser tag ' a physical infrared points scoring gun game ' at the Planet Lazer Entertainment Center in Richmond, Canada, last Friday (15.10.10).

But eyewitnesses interviewed about the incident by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police claim the pop star could have been the real victim of bullying after he was allegedly cornered during the game.

An eyewitness told RadarOnline.com: ' don't think Justin was called a 'f****' or anything like that and he certainly did not punch the other kid on the face.

' saw the kid when he left the game and he had no bruises or red marks on his face that could have been the result of being punched or hit hard.

'His older sister, who was around 20, confronted Justin when he went outside and asked him, 'Did you hit my brother?' Justin admitted that he had made some physical contact but had only 'grazed him' after he pushed his way out after he had been forced into a corner by the other kid and his friends.

'The kid in question was celebrating his birthday with around a dozen other friends who were around the same age.

'Justin had been separated from his father and bodyguard at the time of the incident and word had gotten out that he was inside. I think the other kids crowded him and he simply just pushed past them and against the other boy in the process.

'There were around 35 people inside the game at the time and I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion because the kid wasn't even hurt.'

A spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Corporal Annie Linteau, has confirmed the investigation is continuing, but wouldn't comment on whether Justin was involved.