A coffee shop manager was left swollen and bruised after being attacked by a group of rowdy men who refused to leave his cafe.
Farisse Barra was set upon by four men from a group of eight 16-20 year-olds at Costa Coffee, in Station Road, Upminster. He said: “They were making a lot of noise and it was busy, so I said ‘come on guys, you have to leave now’, that’s when they jumped up and I was punched in the face.”
Other customers screamed for help during the frightening incident at around 4pm on Saturday.
Costa worker Jade Colfer-Coleman said: “One of the men stood up and began shouting at the manager. Another one of the men then also stood up and punched him, after this happened the group then began to attack him.
“When someone ran over to help, the group to fled.”
Police, who collected CCTV images this week, are investigating.
Jade added: “They are cowards these people. They were in a group and they attacked someone on his own. Farisse is a lovely guy and he was left shaken up by it.”
If you can help Havering Police with the matter, call DC Barry Carter, on 101.
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