An horrific attack on a Portuguese man by a group of up to 15 people in Eastbourne last week has seen British police make an urgent appeal for witnesses.
The 32-year-old, reportedly from Curral das Freiras in Madeira, was set upon in broad daylight.
He was walking with his girlfriend – also from Madeira – and only had time to shout at her to ‘run away’ and try and get help, friends have told the Eastbourne Herald.
The man was then so violently attacked that he remains in a coma in Royal Sussex County Hospital, with head injuries that have been described as “life threatening”.
Reports have given no clues as to any reason for this attack. The police investigation now open is called ‘Operation Netherby’.
Detective Inspector Neil Bates told local reporters: “This was a vicious attack in broad daylight at a time when there were a lot of people around. We want to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or any events leading up to it. We do have a number of suspects who are being actively sought, but I would urge anyone with information, no matter how incidental they may think that to be, to contact us as soon as possible.”
