Birmingham father of three scarred for life in bottle attack

Nov 14 2008 by Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

A DAD of three who was left with horrific facial injuries after being smashed over the head with two beer bottles today called on the public: “Help catch the people who did this to me.”

Gurdial Singh suffered a three-inch long scar on his forehead and three deep gashes to his head in the apparently unprovoked attack as he answered a knock on the door.

He had been to collect rent from a tenant in Crocketts Road in Handsworth, and had opened the front door to two callers when they thugs pounced.

One of the men asked: “Are you Mr Singh?”

When the 57-year-old answered “Yes” the yob smashed the bottle over his head, showering him with beer and leaving him drenched in blood.

The second man joined in, repeatedly hitting him over the head with another bottle.

He needed 31 stitches, nine to his forehead and the rest to his scalp, to the wounds.

Married Mr Singh, who works as a diecaster, said: “They just banged my head with a beer bottle. My forehead was covered in blood. Then the other one hit me.

“It all happened in a few seconds and then they ran off.

“There was blood everywhere. I was in a lot of pain and was shaking. I was scared because I only had a heart attack in April.

“I’ve done nothing wrong and can’t think of any reason for it, they didn’t try and take my gold chain or any money.”

He added: “They are violent people, they need to be caught before they do it to someone else.

“I could be left with this scar all my life, it’s very bad and I could need plastic surgery to cover it up. It has upset my whole family.”

Detectives at Thornhill Road CID have been left baffled by the attack, at about 7.20pm on October 11, and have so far drawn a blank in finding a motive. The thugs did not steal or attempt to steal anything from Mr Singh.

They were last seen running off towards Booth Street.

Police today released an e-fit of one of the offenders and called for Birmingham Mail readers to help name him.

He was described as aged 25, 5ft 7in tall and stocky, with big eyes, short black hair and wearing black clothing.

The second man was aged 24 to 25, 5ft 7in tall and medium build and also wearing black clothes.

A police spokesman said: “We would appear to anyone in the area who saw these men either hanging around or running away from the scene. There is some suggestion that there was a silver BMW in the area but we have had no luck tracing it.”

Police also urged people to take care to check who is at their doorstep before opening the front door.

“If they are unsure who is at the door then do not open it,” the spokesman added.

Thornhill Road CID appealed for anyone with any information regarding the attack to contact them on 0121 428 6080 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.