Pensioner Viciously Punched By Stranger While Sitting In Car

Detectives in Westminster are appealing for information after a 64-year-old motorist was left facing blindness after he was brutally attacked in his own car.



The unprovoked assault occurred at 3.10am on Wednesday July 2 in in Fermoy Road, Maida Vale as the pensioner made his way to morning prayers at Regent Park Mosque during Ramadan. 



The victim was driving along Fermoy Road and had stopped at a 'Give Way' line at the junction with Harrow Road when he noticed a man and a woman arguing in the street.



At that point the man who was arguing with the woman shouted to the victim "What are you looking at?"



The victim replied he was looking at the road.

The suspect suddenly rushed towards his car, before leaning in and punching the victim repeatedly in the face. 



The woman with the suspect then shouted for him to stop punching the victim.

They both headed off east down Harrow Road soon after.

The entire attack has been captured on CCTV footage.



London Ambulance Service were called and took the victim to a north London hospital.



The victim has suffered a fractured eye socket, severe bruising and blurred vision.

He is due an operation on his eye shortly and doctors have told him he could lose his eyesight.

As the risk is so high, the man arranged to meet his family abroad before the operation in case he loses his sight as a result of the procedure.



The suspect is described as of Middle Eastern origin, with short dark hair and approximately 25-years-old.

The woman he was with is described as white and of slim build. 



Police are particularly keen to trace a witness who saw the attack and is shown on his mobile phone in the footage.

The woman seen with the man carrying out the attack is also sought by investigators. 



Detective Constable Nikki Hubbard from Westminster Major Crime Unit said: "This was a brutal and unprovoked attack on a defenceless man going about his business.

“As well as the terrifying assault, the victim is now facing the real prospect of losing his eyesight.

“He arranged to meet his family before his eye procedure as this may be the last opportunity he ever gets to see them.

“This is a horrible crime and we need to identify and catch the culprit.

“I would urge anyone with information to contact Westminster Major Crime Unit on 0207-321-7620 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.