News / Crime
One arrested after ‘horrific’ racial abuse and assault
A man has been arrested and police are looking for four other men in connection with a hate crime incident in Lawrence Hill.
The two male victims were assaulted with a metal pole and racially abused by four men on the evening of September 22, after the victims’ car collided with a lamppost on Sarah Street.
Following investigation of CCTV footage and house-to-house enquiries, a 33-year-old man was arrested on Monday morning on suspicion of racially/religiously aggravated grievous bodily harm.
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One of the two victims sustained serious injuries, including a fractured eye socket, a broken jaw and internal injuries and was treated in a hospital, but has now been discharged and is recovering at home. The other victim was racially abused but fortunately did not sustain any serious injuries.
The four perpetrators, who were seen leaving in a white van following the attack, have been described as follows:
- A white male in his 30s or 40s, about 5ft 7ins tall with blond or ginger hair and short facial hair, who was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and grey shorts
- A white male in his 40s of muscular build who was about 5ft 11ins tall and had blond hair. He had a colourful tattoo on his right arm and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and white or grey trousers
- A tall, white man of large build in his 40s with light-coloured hair who was last seen wearing a polo shirt, khaki jeans and smart shoes
- A large white man approximately in his 40s with short ginger hair
Neighbourhood chief inspector of Avon and Somerset Police Serena Serjeant said: “This was a truly horrific incident which has left a young man with significant and lasting injuries.
“Not only is there a substantial physical impact, but these two men were also subjected to the most vile – and completely intolerable – racist abuse.
“We’re now working to identify the men involved and would urge anyone who has any information at all to come forward and speak to us.”
Anyone with information is requested to contact the police quoting reference number 5225267072. Alternatively, information can also be reported on Avon and Somerset’s website or anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers.
Main photo: Google
Read next:
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