A Christian who fled Pakistan because of persecution for his Christian faith, has been beaten up in Derby.

On Friday evening, Tajamal Amar received a broken nose and several deep cuts to his head outside a restaurant and was unconscious for six hours.

He woke up in Royal Derby Hospital after being transported there by emergency services.

The 45 year old delivery driver had two poppies on his car and a cross hanging from the rear-view mirror, which he thinks provoked the attack.

Mr Amar remembers being stared at by a group of Muslim men.

He told the British Pakistani Christian Association: "On the day of my attack the visible display of a cross in my car and two poppies just below the front bonnet triggered the violence against me. I know this because for a few days before the attack the same men glared at me after they noticed my Christian paraphernalia."

He added that it was not the first time his family had received unwelcome attention.

He said: "Several times local Pakistani people in Derby have taken offence from the fact that I am Christian, when they first find out many stop talking to me. My wife and I have often been shunned."

Police are currently concerned about his safety and are patrolling outside his house as well as recommending that he move.

No one has yet been arrested and the motive of the attack is not known.



Anyone who saw the attack or who could help the police with their inquiries should call 101 quoting reference 17000454535.