Police are hunting for a man believed to have brutally attacked 63-year-old with a glass bottle in a row over a shopping bag.
The man had left the bag in a Post Office on Edgware Road but, when he returned, found a man holding it, police say.
An argument flared up between the pair and the attacker, thought to be aged between 35 and 45, hit the victim across the face with a glass bottle.
The man then left carrying the bag and was pursued by the the victim down Edgware Road.
Police said the man, described as a black and 6ft tall, then took off his belt and beat the victim with it.
Officers said the shopper was “traumatised” by the assault and was left with multiple fractures in his eye socket and numerous cuts and bruises.
Westminster police have released an image of a man they would like to speak with in connection with the attack – which happened just after 5pm on December 5.
A Metropolitan Police statement said: “Although the image of the suspect is of poor quality, detectives are hopeful that somebody will recognise the man shown.”
The man was wearing a light coloured beanie hat and spoke with an English accent.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Westminster CID on 07500766462 or 101, or via Twitter @MetCC. To give information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
