23 Oct 2013 10:19Francesco Hounye, 22, suffered serious injuries and has been scarred for life after he was set upon by five Asian men just three days after arriving in the UK from Florida
This shocking CCTV footage shows the moment an American student was attacked with a bottle by a gang of thugs simply because he 'wasn't local'.
Francesco Hounye, 22, was set upon by five Asian men as he walked home from a night out with a friend, just three days after arriving in the UK from Florida.
CCTV shows the gang smash a glass bottle in his face before chasing him and repeatedly punching and kicking him.
Police have now released footage of the attack, which happened around 20 past midnight on June 17 in Commercial Road, east London, in a bid to trace the suspects.
Detectives say Mr Hounye, who had been on a night out in the Brick Lane area with a 23-year-old who he was staying with, was targeted because he was "obviously not local".
The video shows the pair walking back to the friend's home in Shadwell when they were confronted by the gang.
Following a heated exchange, one of the suspects grabbed a bottle the victim was drinking from and smashed it in his face.
As Mr Hounye tried to escape, the men chased after him and continued to beat him up before fleeing.
The victim suffered deep slash wounds to his head and right ear as well as internal injuries and a chipped tooth.
He was taken to the Royal London Hospital where he received 23 stitches and will now be scarred for life.
Mr Hounye said: "As a result of this incident I am now scared to go out on my own in London. I am a visitor to the UK and was considering continuing my studies here but this incident has made me think twice.
"I feel very emotional about the whole situation. I also now face the rest of my life with the permanent scarring that will be left on my face as a result of this attack.
"Every time I look in the mirror from now on I will be reminded of this incident."
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Ben Mott, said: "We believe the suspects picked a fight with the victim as he was obviously not from the local area and they took exception to the fact that he was a bit different.
"The victim has an Italian accent, his own style of dress and mannerisms and, when challenged by the Asian males, answered them back.
"They retaliated by grabbing the bottle and launching a vicious attack that has left him scarred for life. He had come to the UK to enhance his studies and has been left so shocked and horrified by what happened that he feels unsafe and is unsure if he wants to stay here.
"The CCTV footage is exceptionally clear and I believe the suspects to be local. I would ask people to please look closely at the faces of the attackers and help us identify them. I am positive someone would know who they are from looking at the footage."
The suspects are described as Asian and aged in their late teens to early 20s. They are possibly Bengali.
The man who used the bottle was wearing a red and white striped short-sleeved top with black trousers, white trainers and a large watch.
Anyone who can help is asked to contact Tower Hamlets CID on 020 7275 4546 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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