The mother of a man who was viciously assaulted last week has claimed he was attacked because he is black.

College student Nathan Lawrence, 26, from Greenwich, was punched in the head last Tuesday (April 14) evening near McDonald’s in Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey.

Mr Lawrence was found by emergency services at about 9.20pm suffering from facial injuries, including two knocked-out teeth and cuts to his ear and face.

He had been knocked unconscious by his attackers, who have not yet been identified by police.

His mother Samantha Lawrence, 46, claims the attack started after he was racially abused inside the McDonald’s restaurant by a group of girls who called him a n****r as he bought a burger with a college friend.

After the racial abuse, Mr Lawrence and his friend spoke to the girls before leaving the fast-food restaurant.

As they left, a group of men got out of a car and attacked Mr Lawrence.

Ms Lawrence said: “One punched Nathan in the side of the head and he fell to the floor unconscious.

“They continued to hit him.

“He had a slice in his ear, I do not know if any of them had a sharp object.

“They knocked two teeth out.

“They were pummelling into him, the girls probably thought he was dead and they said come on, let’s go.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

Blood was left spattered on the floor after the attack (Photo courtesy Mike Ver Bruggen)

Ms Lawrence has now made her own appeal to try to find her son’s attackers.

She said: “We are trying to get the CCTV - if there are any witnesses, it could jog anyone’s memory, whether they saw or if it is someone they know.

“It was a pretty horrific attack, come forward and report it.

“Let us know who did it, they cannot get away with things like this.

“He is still in a lot of pain, in an awful lot of pain.”

Mr Lawrence is having ongoing hospital treatment for his injuries and requires major dental surgery.

When asked, police refused to confirm if a racial motivation for the attack was being investigated, and could not give a reason why.

Anyone with information should phone the police on 101.