Man has his face stamped on leaving him with a fractured eye socket and cut to his head

Detectives are appealing for witnesses following an assault that left the victim with a fractured eye socket and a cut to his head. The victim, a 55-year-old man, was at the Elm Pub on North End Road, W14, with his family. At 22:00hrs on Wednesday, 11 July, the pub closed to members of the public, however those already indoors were permitted to finish their drinks. The suspect arrived and tried to enter the pub. He was refused entry. The victim went outside the pub for a cigarette and was punched in the face. A witness went out to stop the attack and found the victim being kicked in the face and having his head stamped on. The witness managed to pull the suspect off the victim. Officers were called and found the victim with severe head injuries. Another witness was performing first aid at the scene. He was taken to a central London hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. He suffered a fractured eye socket and required four stitches. The suspect, who was still at the scene, was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and taken to a west London police station where he claimed that he had been acting in self-defence. He has since been bailed to a date in early August. Detective Constable Natalie Steele, from Hammersmith and Fulham CID, said: “Although we have arrested the suspect, we are still really keen for any witnesses to come forward and speak to us, so that we have full account of what happened.” Anyone with information or who witnessed the attack is asked to call 101 and quote 9198/11 July. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.