Shropshire Star

Hunt for man who attacked tourist outside Tube station

The 60-year-old tourist, who was visiting London from Austria, was repeatedly punched in the face.

Published

A tourist was repeatedly punched in the face after she rejected the advances of a man who followed her from a Tube station.

The 60-year-old, who was visiting London from Austria, was attacked by a man in his late 20s after he approached her outside Warwick Avenue station.

The Metropolitan Police said the victim “politely” rejected his attempts to “chat her up” but the man followed her as she walked along Warwick Avenue towards Formosa Street, near Paddington, central London, at around 8pm on Friday March 10.

He grabbed her from behind and repeatedly struck her in the face, leaving her needing surgery on her injuries. She was taken to a London hospital after a passer-by found her.

The victim, who does not want to be named, has released a picture of her injuries as part of a police appeal for information.

Her attacker is described as a white man, aged around 25 to 27, around 5ft 8in tall, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing light-coloured trousers, a brown jacket and a black baseball cap.

A police officer taking notes
Police are appealing for witnesses (Joe Giddens/PA)

Detective Constable Mike Reilly, the investigating officer from Westminster CID, said: “This was a vicious, unprovoked attack that has left the victim very shaken. Her injuries are so severe that she requires surgery.

“Warwick Avenue is a busy area, especially at 8pm on a Friday evening. Someone must have seen something and I’d appeal for anyone with information to come forward as soon as possible so we can bring the perpetrator to justice.”

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