‘Hate-crime’ thug hits dad with brick in front of kids
A DAD has told how he was smashed over the head with a brick in front of his wife and young children in a horrific attack.
The victim, who asked not to be identified, was returning home with his family after collecting a Chinese takeaway when the incident occurred.
A thug calmly approached and said ‘hiya’ before suddenly hitting the man with the brick three times around the head. The victim was left with serious injuries and required 13 stitches for several head wounds in hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery.
The attack happened close to AlFalah mosque on Salisbury Road in Bolton at around 6.30pm on Saturday and the Muslim community fear it may have been racially motivated.
The victim said he did not hear any racial language, but said he understands why many fear it was a hate crime.
“[The attacker] was quite polite,” he said. “He introduced himself saying ‘hiya, are you okay?’ I was concentrating on getting the children out of the car, then before I knew it he had smashed my head three times with a brick.
“Thankfully, it didn’t knock me out. As I went to chase him, he jumped on a bike and cycled off as fast as he possibly could.”
The victim, 34, said he believed there were at least two other young men with the attacker. He said he didn’t recognise them and has no idea why he was targeted.
However, it is understood the attack has left worshippers at AlFalah mosque extremely concerned.
One told the M.E.N.: “The victim has a beard and wears Muslim dress, so we suspect it was a hate crime.
“They were lucky it wasn’t a murder. Everyone is shocked.”
Last month, Home Office figures revealed a hate crime is recorded in
Greater Manchester every hour, having increased by 14 per cent in the last year. The EU referendum and terrorist attacks, including the Manchester Arena bombing, are thought to have caused spikes in hate crime, a Home Office report said.
The victim said: “It could have been a lot more serious. My youngest daughter is five, she was really scared. My family was really upset, of course, but they are OK now.”
The incident was reported to police and it is understood officers attended two days later to take statements and gather evidence. GMP has been approached for comment.