Prat In The Hat: Violent Thug Hunted For Savage Shop Sign Assault

Police are hunting for an impatient customer, who left a shopkeeper needing 13 stitches to a head wound, when struck with a metal sign.

Police in Hackney have released this image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the violent attack outside a Food and Wine shop in Kingsland Road.

The incident occurred at 3.35am on Monday, February 29, last year.

The thug hurled a metal cash sign at the 48-year-old victim after he refused to serve him ahead of other paying customers who were queuing.

The suspect had assaulted the victim inside the shop and was asked to leave.

When the victim followed him outside to make sure he left, he was struck with a metal cashpoint advertising board.

This left the victim with a serious laceration; he was bleeding profusely from the head as a result of the attack.

He was driven to an east London hospital by a friend where he received 13 stitches.

PC Jo Giles, from Hackney's Violent Crime Unit, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a savage and unprovoked attack on a hard-working gentleman merely doing his job in the shop.

“He was struck with such force with the improvised weapon that his skull was exposed.

“It is extremely lucky that medical intervention was administered so promptly otherwise the consequences to the victim could have been fatal.

“We have exhausted all other enquiries and need the public's assistance."

Police want to hear from anyone who may recognise the man shown in the CCTV images or who witnessed the assault.

The male suspect is described as slim build, approximately late twenties or early thirties.

He has full dark coloured beard and moustache and short cropped hair on head.

He was wearing a black cape with a Burberry lining, red denim jeans and a dark grey trilby hat.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigating officer PC Jo Giles or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.