A MAN who was racially assaulted by three men while out for his evening run said he is scared to sleep because of the emotional effect of the incident.

The victim, who prefers to stay anonymous out of fear, said he moved to Basingstoke from Aldershot a year ago thinking it is a safer place, but now he is too afraid to go out to shop.

The 33-year-old man, who was out running in Brighton Hill, was attacked by three teenage boys sometime between 5.50pm and 6.10pm last Friday (March 25).

All three offenders are described as being white, aged 16 to 17, and of medium build. Two are described as being 5ft 8ins and one slightly taller at 5ft 9ins.

READ MORE: Three teenage boys racially assault man in Basingstoke

The victim suffered bruising to his head, legs, arms and shoulders.

The man, who was born in Nepal and has lived in Singapore before moving to the UK, has now described how the incident has left an emotional scar on him.

“I never thought something like this would happen in Basingstoke,” he told the Gazette.

“I moved to Basingstoke hoping that it would be a safer area. But after this incident, I don’t feel safe to go out on my own to do things like shopping or running. The incident is always in my mind and I’m always thinking if anybody is going to attack me. 

“I don’t think anybody in the public should be feeling that way. You should be feeling safe. But I haven’t been able to sleep. It’s causing a lot of distress. And obviously, that has affected my family relationship and my work.”

The victim said he decided to go out for a run after work as it was light outside.

He was going towards the underground tunnel near the Brighton Hill Asda when he noticed three youngsters coming towards him on their e-scooters.

He said: “They were wearing hoodies and I was feeling suspicious. But I thought I’ll just mind my own business and just run past them. Just as we passed, the guy in a grey tracksuit put out his hand and smashed me in my face. 

“My glasses bent and fell on the floor. So, the impact was really hard. I was just stunned and furious for a second because why would someone just attack unprovoked a member of the public, who is just minding their own business. I didn’t expect something like that to happen. 

“I picked up my glasses and ran after them. I grabbed the guy in the grey hoodie and asked why he did that. That’s when the other two friends started to attack me. And then in between the scuffle, they were hurling racist abuses at me as well. One of them was saying, ‘you bloody P***, go back to your country’. And eventually, I said I’m going to call the police and that’s when they escaped on their scooters.”

The victim said he didn’t feel the effect of the physical injuries initially, but he went to the Basingstoke Hospital A&E the next day because of pain.

“I got hit on the left side of my head. I have swelling and bruising there. I’ve got hit quite badly on the right upper arm and my left back where I have swelling and bruising. But I’m more worried about my right knee. I have had a previous injury and surgery on my knee and now I am worried it will get worse and I may not be able to exercise anymore.”

He hopes justice will be served and the offenders will be caught somehow.

He said: “Not just for myself, but I hope it doesn’t happen to other people. You don’t want people to think they can attack or abuse people in the public like that and just get away with it. So hopefully, something can come out of my complaint.”

SEE ALSO: Concern raised for missing man, 36, last seen in Basingstoke

PC Andrew White, who is investigating the case, said: “This was a despicable attack on a man who was going about his day and was cruelly set upon by this group.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, or anyone who thinks they know who these boys might be, to call us as soon as possible.”

If you have any information you can call 101 quoting 44220118799.

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