Brick Lane assault: Moment man punches shopper in 'unprovoked attack' after bumping into girlfriend

Tom Powell22 December 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Police are hunting a cigar-smoking man after an "unprovoked attack" on a shopper who was out with his girlfriend in Brick Lane.

CCTV footage shows a man walking straight into the victim’s girlfriend as he exits a shop on the busy east London street.

But when her boyfriend, 43, asked the smoker to apologise, police claim he refused and instead grew angry.

Footage appears to show him lashing out, landing a punch on the victim’s mouth and sending him reeling backwards on to a parked car.

The man returns to remonstrate further but the victim raises his hands in surrender and steps away.

Suspect: police want to question this man over the assault
Met police

Police were called shortly after 9.10pm Tuesday, November 1, and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

He was not seriously injured and staff later discharged him.

Police want to trace the cigar smoker, described as white and in his mid-40s, wearing large black rimmed glasses, carrying a shopping bag labelled ‘Religion’.

He is 5ft 10ins tall and had a grey jacket on over a red top, beige trousers and brown shoes.

PC Lydia Stephens, investigating officer from Tower Hamlets, said: "This was a violent and unprovoked assault in the middle of a busy street.

"Thankfully the victim was not seriously injured. If you recognise the man in this footage, please get in contact with us."

Anyone with information or any witnesses are urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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