POLICE have released CCTV footage of the moment two friends became victims of a so-called 'happy slapping' attack, the first of its kind in west Oxfordshire.

Police released the footage of the incident yesterday in the hope of identifying the two attackers, who punched and kicked their victims before filming one of them on a mobile phone as he cowered against a wall.

One victim, who we have not identified, has relived his ordeal, which happened as he and friend walked home after a night out in Witney last November.

PC Paul Jackson, of Witney police, said: "I have been in the job for three-and-a-half years and this is the most brutal attack I've seen.

"It was completely unprovoked, and the fact the attacker used a mobile phone makes it even more worrying."

The video shows the victim and a friend, who had travelled from Cornwall, walking along Langdale Gate in Witney at 11.45pm on November 17, after a night out, when they were confronted by two men. For no apparent reason, the attackers start hitting the two friends, with the Witney man being knocked to the ground, where he was kicked and punched.

The film shows the victim's friend, who had his white T-shirt ripped from his back, running off to get help.

While still on the ground, the victim is shown trying to protect himself from the attackers, one of whom takes out a mobile phone and films the assault.

The attackers can then be seen walking off along the street, laughing.

The CCTV footage also shows four witnesses who walked past during the assault. One of them is seen watching the violence.

Continued.....

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