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An American student was left scarred for life after being brutally attacked in the street just days after he arrived in London because he was ‘obviously not local’.

Francesco Hounye needed 23 stitches after having a bottle smashed into his face and being beaten up while he walked through Brick Lane, east London.

Horrifying CCTV footage shows the 22-year-old being kicked and punched by five men who chased him when the student, from Florida, tried to flee.


The incident took place in the early hours of the morning on June 17 on Commercial Road, 15m from the junction with New Road.



The Metropolitan police have released the footage of the incident to help identify Mr Hounye’s attackers.

Police said Mr Hounye was walking back home to Shadwell with a 23-year-old friend he was staying with when he was targeted by the five men, described as possibly being Bengali and in their late teens to early 20s.

Detective Constable Ben Mott said the American was attacked because he was a ‘bit different’.

Francesco Hounye was left scarred for life and suffered a chipped tooth in the attack (Picture: Metropolitan Police)

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

‘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.’

Mr Hounye said the incident had left him scared to go out by himself in London.

‘I am a visitor to the UK and was considering continuing my studies here but this incident has made me think twice,’ he said.

‘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.’

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tower Hamlets CID on 020 7275 4546 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.