Witness appeal over racist attack

DETECTIVES are hunting for three men who attacked a teenager with a broken bottle, causing him serious facial injuries, in what is believed to be a racially-motivated assault.

The attack on the 17-year-old happened in Long Wyre Street, Colchester, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police believe it is possible the white teenager from Colchester used racially abusive language before he was attacked by three black men at about 3am.

The three men were seen leaving in a car shortly afterwards and the victim was taken to Colchester General Hospital by ambulance.

Chief Inspector Steve Johnson of Colchester police said: “Enquiries are ongoing and we are looking for witnesses.

“There was some kind of altercation and we are trying to establish exactly what happened.

“Police are viewing this as a potentially racially motivated incident because racist language was alleged to have been used.

“We have a relatively low amount of racially motivated incidents in Colchester and it is saddening that this has happened over the weekend.

“We will not tolerate racial abuse in our town and will come down hard on any offenders.”

No arrests have been made and anyone with information about the incident should contact Colchester police on 01206 762212.

n An innocent bystander was temporarily blinded by flying glass during a fight in a Chelmsford nightspot at the weekend.

The 19-year-old female from Witham was stood at the bar of Que Pasa, in Springfield Road when the fight broke out between a group of men at about 12.50am on Sunday.

Police said her injuries were “quite serious” and she was still being treated at the town's Broomfield Hospital. A 21-year-old man was also injured when flying glass hit the back of his head.

A 29-year-old man from Wickford and a 23-year-old man from Chelmsford were both arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and bailed until November.

Anyone who witnessed the incident should call DC Dave Knight at Chelmsford CID on 01245 491491.