Tourist, 60, left with serious facial injuries after rejecting man who tried to chat her up

Hunt for suspect after 'vicious unprovoked attack'

Warwick Avenue tube station, where the assault occured (Wikimedia Commons)

A 60-year-old tourist on holiday in London was brutally attacked by a man in his 20s after rejecting his sexual advances.

The man tried to “chat her up” as she was walking near Warwick Avenue tube station in West London, according to the Metropolitan Police.

When the Austrian woman, who does not want to be named, made it clear she wasn’t interested, he repeatedly punched her in the face, leaving her with serious facial injuries.

A passer-by found the victim and called the emergency services, who took her to a Central London hospital for treatment.

The woman has since been discharged but will require further surgery.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged around 25 to 27 years, about 5ft 8 tall with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing light-coloured trousers, a brown jacket and a black baseball cap.

Detectives have carried out enquiries in the area and are appealing for anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

Detective Constable Mike Reilly, the investigating officer from Westminster CID, said: “This was a vicious unprovoked attack that has left the victim very shaken. Her injuries are so severe that she requires surgery.

"Warwick Avenue is a busy area, especially at 8pm on a Friday evening.

"Someone must have seen something and I'd appeal for anyone with information to come forward as soon as possible so we can bring the perpetrator to justice."