American student scarred for life after brutal mob attack that was caught on CCTV three days after he arrived in the UK

Student Francesco Hounye, 22, attacked by gang in east London

Mr Hounye needed 23 stitches to his face after bloody beating

Police release shocking CCTV to track down gang behind assault



This is the shocking moment a group of thugs attacked an American student because he was 'obviously not local' and left him scarred for life.

Francesco Hounye had been in the UK for just three days when he was set upon by the gang, who smashed a bottle in his face as well as kicking and punching him in the vicious assault.

Detailed CCTV footage captured the attack on 22-year-old Mr Hounye, who was left covered in blood and needed 23 stitches in his face.

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Francesco Hounye, 22, had been in the UK for just three days when he was set upon by a gang, who smashed a bottle in his face leaving him scarred for life

Attack: Detailed CCTV footage captured the attack on 22-year-old Mr Hounye by a group of Asian men

Threat: Police do not know what sparked an argument, but the exchange quickly became heated and the suspects threatening and aggressive

Mr Hounye had been out for the night in the Brick Lane area of East London with a friend he had been staying with when he was attacked.



CCTV images show Mr Hounye and his 23-year-old pal being followed by a number of Asian men as they made their way back to the friend's home in Shadwell, before a confrontation is seen to begin.

Police do not know what sparked an argument, but the exchange 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.

Trauma: Mr Hounye, who had come to London to study, said that the attack had left him too scared to go out on his own in London

Terrifying: The gang are seen to surround Mr Hounye, who was attacked with the glass bottle he had been holding

Different: Investigating officer, Detective Constable Ben Mott, said that police suspect the men picked a fight with Mr Hounye as 'he was obviously not from the local area'

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 eventually ran away.



The victim was taken to the nearby 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.

In a statement, traumatised Mr Hounye, who had come to London to study, said: 'As a result of this incident I am now scared to go out on my own in London.



No escape: Mr Hounye sprinted across a nearby road to flee his attackers, but they chased him down and continue to beat him Mr Hounye had been out for the night in the Brick Lane area of east London with a friend he had been staying with when he was attacked

Police have stressed that there was no evidence to suggest this attack was a hate crime or motivated by religion in any way

'I am a visitor to the UK and was considering continuing my studies here but this incident has made me think twice.

'I feel very emotional about the whole situation. 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.'

Injuries: Mr Hounye needed 23 stitches to his face after suffering deep slash wounds to his head and around his right ear

Despite extensive work by officers to find the suspects, they have not yet been identified, prompting the Metropolitan Police to release CCTV footage from the attack, which occured at around 20 past midnight on June 17 in a bid to track down the thugs behind the assault.



Investigating officer, Detective Constable Ben Mott, said: 'We believe the suspects picked a fight with the victim as he was obviously not from the local area and they took exception to the fact that he was a bit different.



'The victim has an Italian accent, his own style of dress and mannerisms and, when challenged by the Asian males, answered them back.

'They retaliated by grabbing the bottle and launching a vicious attack that has left him scarred for life.



'He had come to the UK to enhance his studies and has been left so shocked and horrified by what happened that he feels unsafe and is unsure if he wants to stay here.

'The CCTV footage is exceptionally clear and I believe the suspects to be local. I would ask people to please look closely at the faces of the attackers and help us identify them. I am positive someone would know who they are from looking at the footage.'

Police described the suspects as Asian and aged in their late teens to early 20s. They are possibly Bengali.