A COUPLE were subjected to a brutal racial assault by a group of seven people who also threatened to set two large dogs on them.

The incident happened at around 9pm on Saturday, September 15, in Gateshead town centre.

The couple had just left Tesco when the woman was racially abused by five men and two women. The group also threatened to set two large dogs on the couple that were in their possession.

When the woman tried to tell the attackers she could not speak English she was punched to the ground and repeatedly kicked.

Her husband attempted to intervene but was then assaulted.

The group eventually stopped the brutal assault when members of the public in the area, outside the Gateshead Interchange, intervened.

During the incident the man’s phone was damaged by the group so the assault was only reported to the police the next day.

In the days after the assault both victims needed medical attention for their injuries.

Police are appealing for anyone in the area at the time to get in touch.

Detectives in Northumbria Police’s Central CID also appealed for anyone who knows information about those responsible to do the right thing and call police.

  • To help contact Northumbria police on 101 quoting log 507 of September 16, Crimestoppers on 0800-555111 or email the officer in charge on 8007@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.