SOUTH WOODFORD: Bar assault victim calls for plastic glasses only at nightspots (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

SOUTH WOODFORD: Bar assault victim calls for plastic glasses only at nightspots

3:11pm Tuesday 23rd March 2010

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A MAN who needed fifteen stitches to his face and neck after being attacked in a popular bar - has called for only plastic glasses and bottles to be used at late night drinking venues.

The 36-year-old, who asked not to be identified, was left covered in blood after suffering deep cuts to his nose, forehead and neck during the assault at Funky Mojoe's in South Woodford High Road on Friday night (March 19).

He told the Guardian that the attack, which took place at around 1am, has left him worried about going out for drinks at bars and pubs in the future - but said he feels lucky he was not even more badly injured.

He said: "My friend and I had arrived at the bar for a drink quite late.

"I noticed these two young lads were giving us menacing looks. I had a really bad feeling that something was going to happen.

"When (my friend) went to the toilet I went over to them to try and cool things down, but I couldn't hear what they were saying.

"As I lent over I felt wet on my head and back and thought someone had poured a drink over me.

"I only realised I'd been glassed when I found bits of glass on me.

"I suppose in some ways I was lucky, because the cut to my neck was really close to my jugular.

"I'm not even completely sure it was them who did it. I just hope whoever did is taken off the streets soon."

The injured man praised the work of staff at Whipps Cross Hospital for the treatment they gave him after the attack.

He has called for plastic glasses and bottles only to be used at bars and clubs after 11pm.

He said: "When you go to concerts they just use plastic bottles and glasses, and that should be the same in bars and nightclubs.

"I think it's the only way to stop things like this happening.

"The facial injuries woman at Whipps Cross - a Greek girl - was fantastic when I went back the next day for some more treatment."

He described the two men he had spoken to as white, aged 20 to 22 years, with both wearing white shirts at the time of the attack.

One was 6ft to 6ft 2ins tall, while the other was around 5ft 8ins.

Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward with information about the assault which comes just months after a man was stabbed in the stomach with a champagne flute at the nightspot.

The venue has also been the scene of at least one other glassing, and a shooting, since it first opened in 2008.

Mojoe's owner Ross Drogman said the bar has a good safety record and that he and his staff will do all they can to help police with their investigation.

He said: "We take the issue of safety very seriously indeed.

"This is an unfortunate incident, but things like this are very rare (at Funky Mojoe's).

"This is a safe bar.

"We do all that we can to stop things like this happening."

A police spokeswoman said: "This was a violent unprovoked attack which will leave the victim scarred for life."

Anyone with information should call DC Mark Healey at Ilford Police on: 8345 2710

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