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York gang break man’s jaw in ‘sickening’ and suspected racist attack on tourists

Scene of the attack… New Street, York. Photograph © Michael Jagger via Wikimedia Commons

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Crime

Scene of the attack… New Street, York. Photograph © Michael Jagger via Wikimedia Commons
Scene of the attack… New Street, York. Photograph © Michael Jagger via Wikimedia Commons
A York gang attacked a Spanish couple with such violence that they broke the man’s jaw, in what the police are describing as a “sickening” incident.

The gang repeatedly punched and kicked the 24-year-old man, and kept pushing his girlfriend, 29, to the floor.

After enjoying a night out in York, the couple left the Blue Fly Café Bar on New Street early on Sunday morning (April 5).

The attack took place in the New Street, Coney Street and St Helen’s Square area between 3.40am and 3.50am.

Five men seemingly targeted the man and woman because they are from another country.

It is alleged the suspects repeatedly punched and kicked the man over a period of ten minutes along the city centre route.

Taxi driver intervened

The victim suffered serious injuries including a broken jaw, chipped teeth and bruising. He received emergency treatment at York Hospital.

His girlfriend, aged 29, was repeatedly pushed to the ground while he was being attacked.

It is believed the only reason the suspects stopped the violence was because a passing taxi driver came to the couple’s assistance.

Have you seen them?

The suspects are…

white
aged between 20 and 25
and spoke with English accents.

One of the men…

was about 5ft 7in tall
had short or shaved brown hair
and was wearing a short-sleeved, light-coloured T-shirt with trousers.

PC Sophie Wilson, of the York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said:

This is a very disturbing incident which will quite rightly shock the local community in York and those who regard the city as a friendly and safe place to visit.

We are doing everything we can investigate this case and bring those responsible to justice.

We are also providing support to the young couple from Spain who have had their stay tarnished in the most sickening and vicious way.

As well as a general appeal for witnesses and information about the attack, PC Wilson is also making a specific appeal to trace the taxi driver who came to the aid of the couple.

She said:

The victims are extremely grateful to the taxi driver for having the decency to stop and help when they were in a very frightening situation.

I am appealing for the taxi driver to get in touch as soon as possible as he may have vital information about the suspects and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

This was the first of two vicious attacks on Easter Sunday. Later that evening a man was glassed in the face in a York bar.

Can you help? Contact the police: details below.

north-yorkshire-police-logo-25How to help the police

Call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Sophie Wilson
Or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
Email PC Wilson here

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