A football supporter, who objected to racist taunts, finished up in hospital after fleeing a fight and being run over.
November 6, 2008 13:29A football supporter, who objected to racist taunts while he watched his team play on a big screen in a London pub, finished up in hospital after fleeing a fight and being run over.
Orthodox football fan Paul Mullins was watching the North London derby at The Hendon, a pub on the Hendon Way, North-West London. He challenged a rival fan who shouted the words "Jewish b******s" as Spurs scored two late goals to hold their North London rivals, Arsenal, to a 4-4 draw last Wednesday night.
After a fight broke out, he fled into the street where he was struck by a passing Honda Civic. The driver stopped at the scene. Mr Mullins, 27, was taken to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead where he was recovering this week after undergoing surgery on a broken leg.
Mr Mullins, who was wearing a kippah when he went to the pub, said that after he heard someone shout antisemitic abuse, he got up to confront the offender, thought to be in his late 20s.
The brawl continued after the game ended and Mr Mullins ran out to the street and then on to the northbound A41, where he was hit by the car.
A spokesperson for Barnet Police said the incident was being treated as a faith-hate crime, due to remarks made to the victim. It is being investigated by the Community Safety Unit based at Barnet.
Detective Constable Stephen Puddifoot of Barnet Police said: "We urgently need to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident at The Hendon public house or outside on the pavement. There would have been a lot of commotion in and around the venue at the time, as there were a number of vocal supporters enjoying the game.
"We need to clarify exactly what happened during the incidents leading up to the man being hit by the car."
The manager of The Hendon declined comment. No arrests have been made.
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