Oldham gang attack victim appeals for calm
Date published: 07 July 2022
Residents have been concerned about the violent video circulating online
The solicitor representing the 19-year-old victim of a savage gang attack which has sparked alarming tension in Oldham has said that her client 'doesn't want any more trouble'.
Numerous incidents of disorder and violence have taken place after a social media video of the young man being viciously attacked sent 'shockwaves' through the community.
Solicitor Monira Khatun Hussain said the victim, who is still recovering having suffered fractures to his face and other injuries, is touched by the 'community spirit' of Oldhamers who have supported him since the incident came to light.
She said: "He's extremely grateful for the outpouring of love and support that people have shown him.
“He’s been reassured that this is how this community is, the whole community of Oldham, and that this was an isolated incident."
Addressing requests from locals to set up a fundraising page to financially help the victim, Ms Hussain said he doesn't want one.
"He simply wants justice and he doesn't want to put people out of pocket because it's a difficult situation for everybody at the moment in the current climate," she added.
"He understands people are struggling financially and he doesn’t want to put anybody out of their way, but he’s extremely grateful for the love and support.
"He doesn't want any more trouble.
"He's personally requesting that people refrain from taking the law into their own hands because that is just increasing his anxiety and his worries.
"He doesn’t want any innocent people targeted in any way because each family home has children or mums and dads in the property, and his specific request to everybody is to please let the police do their job."
Ms Hussain added: "The kind of unity in this community - whether you're white, black, Muslim, Christian, it doesn't matter, we are all connected and this incident has shook us because it's just rocked the foundations of what we've built in this community of unity, love, faith, love and affection.
"That's what this community is focussing on - it's not a case of criticising the police but how can we improve?"
Lawyer Ms Hussain has also urged those involved in the attack to "hand themselves in and tell the truth."
"If you have been involved then the best thing, the right thing, you can do is to cooperate with the police and tell them the truth about what has happened," she said.
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