Brick Lane assault: who’s the suspect?

POLICE HAVE released the above photo of a man wanted for questioning in connection with an assault which took place in Brick Lane on 1st November 2016.

A man and his girlfriend were walking down the Lane when a man came out of a nearby shop and bumped into the woman. Her boyfriend asked the man to apologise to his girlfriend – but he refused to apologise and punched the boyfriend in the face, fracturing his jaw.

The punch caused a serious injury. The victim, Jeremy Potter of Islington, had an initial four day stay in hospital for intensive reconstructive surgery on his jaw, involving metal plates being inserted into his jaw. This was followed by a further three months of treatment. Mr Potter has been left with nerve damage and loss of feeling to his face.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged in his mid-40s and 5ft 10ins tall. The top of his head is bald, with short brown hair on the sides, and he has a brown beard. He was wearing large black rimmed glasses, a grey jacket over a red top, beige trousers and brown shoes. He was carrying a white shopping bag labelled “Religion” and smoking a cigar.

Mr Potter said: “I was just doing what I thought was right by asking for an apology for my girlfriend and as a result I’ve got a permanently disfigured jaw and am having to come to terms with life without feeling in my lower face.”

Detective Constable Lydia Stephens, investigating officer from Tower Hamlets CID, said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack in the middle of a busy street. The victim was seriously hurt and his injuries are likely to impact him for the rest of his life. If you recognise the man in this footage, I urge you to get in contact with us.”

•Anyone who witnessed the attack or has any information or feels that they recognise the suspect should call police on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111, where you can give information anonymously.

•Read more about it:
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Twelve years for attack on Eid celebration

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