Man hurt in attack by gang of youths

The 27-year-old, who does not wish to be identified for fear of reprisals, said the attack was totally unprovoked and claims it was carried out by “foreign nationals”.

He was kicked and punched about the head, face and back and knocked unconscious.

One of his eyes is still bloodshot after the attack, which took place in Portmore Street around 2am on Saturday two weeks ago.

Another 24-year-old man, who was reportedly walking just behind the couple, was also attacked and needed stitches for a gash to his head.

The man’s girlfriend videoed part of the attack on her mobile phone and the incident has been reported to police.

The man said, “We had been in McConville’s bar and decided to walk down to McDonald’s for something to eat. I had only had a couple of beers as I had work the next morning. We were approached by a gang of 10 or 15 foreign nationals.

“There were about four of them who started raining down blows with their fists and boots. I was pushed to the ground and was trying to get up.

“I woke up and was dazed and confused. My head was spinning. I had never been knocked out before.”

On the video, the man’s girlfriend can be heard shouting at the youths that she is filming the attack, in a bid to get them to stop.

Towards the end of the filming, as the gang is walking off, one can be heard telling her to ‘walk away or I’ll kill you’.

During the attack, one of the men also took her phone and threw it against a wall.

The victim added, “I went into work for 7am the next morning but they sent me home. I was spitting up blood, I had a nosebleed, a sore head and one side of my head was swollen.

“I went to A&E on the Monday and they told me I had concussion. My own GP told me I was very lucky, that I’d had a nasty blow to the head.

“Since then I have heard of other attacks in this area. I messaged one guy who was assaulted a few weeks ago and he looked at the video and said it was the same people. The whole thing has made me and my girlfriend very wary about walking in the town at night.”

Police said the attack is being treated as a hate crime and are appealing for information.

Anyone with information can contact 101, quoting ref: 169 210216, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.