A HEALTHCARE worker says he is in shock after having acid thrown in his face as he was robbed by a masked gang on mopeds.

Syed Nadeem had just finished work in Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone when he was attacked by the men who threatened to cut his throat if he didn’t hand over his money.

The 44-year-old was walking through a pathway off James Lane towards Forest Road, to get to his car, when five men wearing balaclavas pounced on him.

Mr Nadeem, of Hertfordshire said: “They threw me on the ground and started punching and kicking me.

“They said, give us your money and if you won’t we’ll take a knife out and cut your throat.

“I was covering my head with my hands when one of them took a bottle out and squirted liquid at me.

“There was a burning sensation in my face. I got up and ran back towards the hospital and was spitting up blood.”

The incident happened at around 10pm on Wednesday, June 7. Mr Nadeem had his his rucksack, which contained his phone and scrubs, robbed.

Although he has been left with burns to his face, elbow and knee as well as headaches and nausea, the father-of-three insists he is “not afraid”.

Mr Nadeem, who has worked in the dialysis unit of Whipps Cross Hospital since 2003, said it is the first time he has had a problem in the area.

His wife Mahnaz, 43, said when the hospital called to tell her about the attack, the worst thoughts began to race through her mind.

She said her sons, aged 12 and 11, and daughter, eight, are slowly coming to terms with the assault on their father.

“When I got the call I was really scared and I imagined the worst when I heard he had suffered punches and kicks to the head,” she said.

“I was very emotional when I saw him. It’s just absolutely shocking.

“The kids are very upset and the first time they saw him they were crying. We will be talking it through with them and we have had family and friends supporting us.”

Mrs Nadeem praised the “tremendous” police who attended the hospital shortly after the attack to collect evidence from the crime scene.

She says if Whipps Cross Hospital opened a carpark designated for staff it would put her mind at ease.

“It’s not safe for staff to park their cars away from the hospital.

“It’s not a very well-lit area and I think there should be a carpark for the staff,” she added.

The Met Police have been contacted for comment.