'I still love London', says international student left scarred for life after vicious Brick Lane gang attack

 
National News
25 October 2013
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A student who was left scarred for life after being beaten by a gang in east London told today how he still loved the city despite his ordeal.

Italian Francesco Hounye, 22, who lives in the United States, suffered severe facial injuries after being hit by a bottle in the assault near Brick Lane.

He had only been in the UK three days when he was attacked by the gang, who smashed a bottle in his face as well as kicking and punching him to the ground.

Mr Hounye said he had been warned to be careful in some parts of the city by his sister but he had not paid much attention at the time.

He said : “When I first came here I fell in love with London and I still think it is beautiful but now I am aware that it is also dangerous.”

Originally from Rome he moved to the United States as a teenager to be with his American mother.

A qualified pilot in the US he came here to study but is now working as a barista in a central London hotel.

Mr Hounye said he had been out with a friend around Brick Lane and the pair were walking home in Commercial Street at around 12.20am on Monday June 17.

He became aware they were being followed by a group of men. There was an argument between them which quickly became heated and the suspects threatening and aggressive.

One of the men grabbed the bottle that Mr Hounye was drinking from and smashed it against his face.

Mr Hounye desperately tried to escape and sprinted across the street to get away, but the group chased after him and continued to beat him before they ran away.

Scarred for life: Francesco Hounye in hospital after the attack
Met police

He said : “We were aware that we were being followed and they started to talking to us and became aggressive. I remember that we tried to walk away.

“I cannot remember exactly what was said but then they surrounded me and all I can remember is just trying to defend myself.

“I have only recently seen the CCTV footage of the incident, it is quite scary. At the time I did not know I was hit by a bottle.“

The student was taken to the Royal London Hospital with deep slash wounds to his head and around his right ear. He needed 23 stitches to his face and more stitches internally. He has suffered permanent scarring and a chipped tooth.

He told police later that he was now scared to go out on his own in London. He said : “I also now face the rest of my life with the permanent scarring that will be left on my face as a result of this attack. Every time I look in the mirror from now on I will be reminded of this incident."

Speaking to the Standard he said the incident had not put him off living in London.

He said : “I would like to continue my studies here and get a pilot qualification in Europe. My dream is to be a pilot.

“My sister lived here for five years and she warned me to be aware but coming from the US I just thought ‘whatever’.

“But after this I definitely have a new impression of London. It has put things in perspective. I still think London is beautiful but now I am aware that it is also dangerous.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Tower Hamlets CID on 020 7275 4546 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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