Marylebone attack: CCTV footage shows brutal robbery as police appeal for witnesses

‘The man who committed this crime is a violent thug and we are desperate to bring him to justice,’ police say

Police have released video showing the moment a 23-year-old student was viciously attacked and robbed in the west London neighbourhood of Marylebone.

So horrendous was the assault, the victim’s teeth were knocked loose and later had to be removed from his lungs.

The Spanish student – on his way home after celebrating the end of a successful internship – was kept in hospital in an induced coma for weeks.

His injuries included a fracture to the skull and a bleed on the brain.

Metropolitan Police detectives have released the CCTV footage in the hope the public can help track down a man wanted for questioning in connection with the assault.

The assault happened in Bulstrode Street at about 5.20am on Sunday 19 August, when the victim was approached from behind by a stranger and struck with one devastating punch.

The CCTV recovered by officers shows the suspected attacker then searched the victim’s pockets while he lay unconscious.

The suspect stole a phone, wallet and cash and cynically dragged the victim behind a parked car. He then left the unconscious victim lying in the road.

The suspect later entered a nearby hotel and tried to order a taxi to leave the area. The victim later recovered from his injuries has now returned home to Spain.

Detective Karl Lewis, from the Met’s Westminster Borough, said: “This was a completely unprovoked assault on a young man walking home after a night out.

“The victim has only just managed to make a full recovery from his physical injuries, however this attack has had a large psychological impact on him.

He added: “The man who committed this crime is a violent thug and we are desperate to bring him to justice. I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV still to do the right thing and call police.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 1817/19Aug 2018.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.