Mob pretended to help victim while stealing his backpack

ONE MAN'S EXPERIENCE: MOHAMMED AZHRAF Hazig (20) was lying on the ground near a pool of his blood when a mob stole his backpack…

ONE MAN'S EXPERIENCE:MOHAMMED AZHRAF Hazig (20) was lying on the ground near a pool of his blood when a mob stole his backpack.

They appeared to be helping him to his feet – only to rob him as he remained in a dazed state.

One robber took his games console and discarded the rest of his backpack on the ground.

Mr Hazig, who is studying at Kaplan International College London on a Malaysian government scholarship, was riding his bicycle to buy food for Iftar, the evening meal Muslims eat to break their fast during Ramadan.

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The mob took his bicycle and mobile phone. They then assaulted him, breaking his jaw and fracturing his teeth.

The incident, which happened in Barking, east London, on Monday night was captured on camera by an onlooker and posted on YouTube. It has already been viewed more than a million times.

British prime minister David Cameron alluded to the attack when he referred to elements of “sick” Britain in a speech yesterday.

“When we see the disgusting sight of an injured young man with people pretending to help him while they are robbing him, it is clear that there are things that are badly wrong with our society,” he said.

Mr Hazig is due to have surgery on his jaw at the Royal London Hospital. He has been described as being in “good spirits”.

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times