'I feel sorry for youths who blinded me' says father attacked on a bus

A commuter who was brutally attacked on a London bus packed with passengers says he feels sorry for the gang of teenagers who blinded him.

The 30-year-old security manager, who asked to be named only as Kenneth, was set upon by five youths after he had asked one of them to stop throwing biscuits around. One of the gang used his fingers to gouge Kenneth's right eye out of its socket.

The father of three young children has lost that eye and his left eye is also damaged, and he is now registered as blind.

The ferocity of the attack 11 days ago has stunned police officers and left many of the passengers who witnessed it traumatised. It also poses awkward questions about how such an appalling incident could happen in a bus filled with at least 50 people.

But remarkably Kenneth, speaking to The Independent from his hospital bed in London, has managed to remain positive. He said: "I have got kids and family – I have to be strong for them. As long as I can see a little bit I can remain strong, it is something positive to hold on to. Otherwise if I let it get to me it could ruin my life."

Equally surprisingly, he said that his initial feelings of hate towards his assailants had changed. "It might sound strange but I feel sorry for the people who did this to me. They have totally messed up their lives," he said.

As the security manager of a designer fashion store in west London he is used to dealing with shoplifters, who can become violent. "The last thing you should do is go in aggressively. You need to talk to them and calm things down," he said.

Kenneth had been about to go home from work on the Tube when a female friend dropped in and he agreed to take the bus with her instead.

They travelled to Victoria station in central London and at about 7.25pm on Saturday, 15 September, they boarded a number 36 bus heading for Lewisham in south London.

They sat near the front on the top deck. After three or four stops two youths came upstairs. One sat at the back and the other went towards the only remaining seat at the very front. Lying on the seat was a pile of biscuits.

"He started swearing and picking up the biscuits and throwing them about. Some of them landed on my lap and against my legs. I said, 'Why don't you just brush them on the floor'. He then started to get really aggressive."

Described as aged between 17 and 20 years old, with a slim build, 5ft 10in tall and of Somalian origin, he was a similar size to Kenneth.

At this stage a well-built man got up and stood between Kenneth and his tormentors, who then disappeared downstairs. After they had gone, people on the top deck broke into applause.

But one stop later the two youths returned with a third friend. The teenager who had been throwing biscuits started shouting obscenities at his intended victim and others started kicking him.

"I panicked and ran forward with both arms and grabbed two of them and we tumbled down the stairs," recalled Kenneth. The bus by this stage had crossed Vauxhall bridge and pulled into a stop outside the vast MI6 headquarters. Film from cameras mounted on the outside of the secret intelligence service building would later help police to piece together what happened next. Two other members of the gang who were downstairs joined their three friends and tried to kick and punch Kenneth, who attempted to fight back. The assault spilt out, on to the pavement.

As the victim staggered back on to the bus one of the gang smashed a drinks bottle over his head and he slumped on to a seat.

"Someone came behind me and I felt his hands feeling for my eyes. He pushed two fingers into both my eyes. I managed to break free from one of his hands and then he suddenly disappeared.

"I turned around and a woman just started screaming – it was like something in a horror movie.

"There was a lot of blood but I couldn't feel anything and thought my right eye was just bruised. I didn't realise my eye had been yanked out of its socket," Kenneth said.

Kenneth learnt later that he had lost his right eye and he now intends to get a glass one. Since the attack his family, friends and work colleagues have all given their support.

Meanwhile the police, who arrested and bailed a 17-year-old youth shortly after the incident, are appealing for witnesses to contact them.

Detective Constable Steve Worthington, one of the officers investigating the case, said: "This horrific, unprovoked attack has changed the life of a young man who was just an innocent passenger on a bus going home after a day at work."

The gang members are described as three black and two European or Chinese youths, who are all aged between 17 and 20. Anyone with information is asked to call 020 8649 2484 or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.