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Restaurant man beaten senseless by racist youths

3/ 4/2003

An Oldham restaurant worker was beaten senseless during an unprovoked racist attack which has left him unable to see through one eye and hear properly.

Father-of-five Mohammed Ali, pictured right, was delivering a takeaway meal from his family's Asian restaurant in Droylsden when he was attacked in Atlee Way, Beswick around 11pm by two white thugs who beat him and kicked him in the head leaving him unconscious before running away.

The two men did not take any money from Mr Ali and were silent throughout the attack.

Said Mr Ali, aged 40 of Cottam Street, Oldham: "I had just done the delivery to a house and was returning to my car when two youths appeared and blocked my way. They covered their faces with their jackets.

"At first I tried to get round them but they wouldn't let me. I then asked them 'what's wrong?' but they wouldn't answer me back.

"They then uncovered their faces but I couldn't see them properly because it was dark and then they jumped on me and started kicking me and punching me on my head.

"At first I tried to protect myself with my arms but they were too strong for me. I was shouting for help but nobody heard.

"I could feel blood pouring down my head.

"The men were silent all the way through the attack. As they carried on throwing punches at me I became unconscious and fell lying beside my car."

When Mr Ali came to he managed to crawl to one of the houses and knocked on doors.

He was let in by a family who called the police and ambulance for him.

Mr Ali was kept in the Oldham Royal Infirmary for one night where he was treated for cuts and bruises to his head and face.

He is now unable to see clearly through his left eye and has lost the use of his right ear.

He said: "I feel this was a racist attack.

"They didn't rob me, I think they attacked me simply because I was an Asian man on his own.

"I haven't been able to go back to work and I don't feel I'll be going back on deliveries in the future."

The two thugs are described as aged between 20 and 25.

Both where wearing fleece tops. One was 5ft 9in tall and of heavy build and the second was 6ft and of slim build.