Thank you everyone for all the thoughts. Made me feel a bit better about it. Successfully unpicked the mess and can continue.
The young man in question is 10 years old and the youngest of two. Unfortunately he tends to get spoilt while the other doesn't. He got banished into our dining room til his mum got home, and when I told her what he had done she went ballistic. I think he wont dare try something like that again!
Also mannem- fliedermaus is German for bat. Bats are my favourite animal. :D