Shock at village attack
A RESTAURANT owner in Pill was set upon by a group of teenagers after he asked them to stop throwing snowballs at his property.
Al-Amin Kamal has now been left considering whether to stay in the village after the attack outside World of Spice, which saw him kicked and punched repeatedly to the head, legs and torso.
The 51-year-old said: “I am a minority here and am now scared. I am really afraid because I have my business here.”
According to Mr Kamal, eight teenagers had been throwing snowballs at the window of his Pill Street restaurant for much of the day on December 28.
At 5.45pm, just before his first customers were due in, he asked them to stop.
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It was then that two of the group began kicking his legs, causing him to fall to the floor where he was then repeatedly punched to the side of the head.
He was also kicked and punched in the ribs before a colleague pulled him back inside.
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However, the teenagers followed and continued kicking Mr Kamal before running off.
Mr Kamal, who has lived in Pill for more than two years and is currently vice president of Lodway Cricket Club, said: “Before this I felt completely safe. How long can the police protect me?
“If nothing happens to these boys I may consider leaving the village.
“I have told parents that these are all our children and we have to look after them
“This time it was me - tomorrow it could be someone else they are attacking, maybe even stabbing.”
During the two evenings after the assault, members of what is believed to be the same group of teenagers returned to outside World of Spice to shout racist abuse at Mr Kamal.
The father-of-two said: “Physically I have not been too badly affected but mentally I have been.
“I am so appreciative of the local people who have given me lots of support.”
Since the incident, Mr Kamal has received many messages of support from other Pill residents, many of whom have been shocked by what happened.
Easton-in-Gordano Parish Council chairman Gerry Hunt said: “I am absolutely horrified by the attack - the racist abuse and the violence.
“Mr Kamal is a real asset to the village and he plays a real part in the community.”
Police are appealing for information regarding the assault. Anyone with information should call the Pill beat manager on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
