Morning:
14°c
Gang throws acid in man's face and stabs him twice
Justin Davenport and Danny Brierley02.07.09
A man is critically ill in hospital after acid was thrown in his face by a masked gang in east London today.
The 24-year-old, who was left with burns to his face and chest, was also stabbed twice in the back and left in the street in what police believe was a targeted assault.
Surgeons were today trying to save the sight of the victim, a Danish national who was staying in Leytonstone where the attack happened. The acid was said to be so corrosive it burned through his clothes.
Locals described hearing a "chilling" scream in the early hours. One man, who did not want to be named, said: "It woke me and my mum up. She went to look out of the window but couldn't see anything and then soon after there were lots of police everywhere." The victim managed to crawl to his nearby home before raising the alarm. Police said they were keeping an open mind about the motive.
Residents have claimed the attack could be linked to a drugs deal involving a notorious local gang called the Cathall Boys.
Two months ago six members of the gang were jailed for the "postcode" murder of 14-year-old Paul Erhahon in Leytonstone in 2007.
Officers were today examining two sites - one where the attack took place in Marchant Road and another in an alley on the way to the victim's house. The assault was carried out yards from a leisure centre car park known as a place often used for drug deals.
Scotland Yard said the attack took place at 2am today. Anyone with information should call police on 020 8345 3146 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
