Man who wore burka to assault woman jailed

A man who disguised himself in a burka and attacked a woman with a brick hidden in a bag has been jailed for four years.

In December 2014, Hong Nguyen, 24, of no fixed abode, was wearing the burka while carrying a blue bag containing a brick.

He then ran up behind a 23-year-old woman and hit her around the head and face with the bag.

She fell to the ground and Nguyen tried to strangle her but was seen by a resident who shouted at him.

He then ran off in the direction of Rowan Road, Mitcham in south London.

In February this year, Nguyen was stopped by three residents in Kerlin Green near to where the assault happened.

They had recognised him from the description given out by the police of the attacker following the assault.

He was again wearing the burka and carrying a plastic bag which had a wooden handled hammer in it.

The residents called the police and Nguyen tried to run off but the residents managed to catch him.

He was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and later for the original assault after matching DNA was found.

Nguyen was jailed for four years and four months at Kingston Crown Court yesterday after admitting grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.