Teenager, 15, charged for racially aggravated assault on S'porean student in London

Jonathan Mok suffered fractures to his face during the attack.

Andrew Koay | July 19, 2020, 03:53 PM

A 15-year-old teen has been charged for allegedly attacking a Singaporean student in London.

According to CNA, the London Metropolitan Police said that the teen was charged with "wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent" in an assault that has been classified as "racially aggravated".

The unnamed teen will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Aug. 10.

"I don't want your coronavirus in my country"

The Singaporean student, 23-year-old Jonathan Mok, had previously shared on Facebook about the incident which occurred on Feb. 24 on Oxford Street.

According to his account, Mok had walked past a group of men, when one shouted something at him, which sounded like "coronavirus".

After he turned to look at them, he heard one of the men shout “don’t you dare look at me”.

Mok said that he was then punched in the face by more than one man.

One man who tried to kick him then allegedly said, “I don’t want your coronavirus in my country”, before swinging another punch at him.

Mok suffered a few fractures in his face and said that he might need to undergo reconstructive surgery to fix some of the bones.

16-year-old released, with no further action

CNA reported that a 16-year-old, who was arrested on March 4, was released with no further action.

Both teenagers were arrested after London police released their images on its website. However, they are still looking for two others.

At the time, Detective Sergeant Emma Kirby, the officer in the case, said:

“This attack left the victim shaken and hurt. There’s no room on our streets for this kind of violent behaviour and we are committed to finding the perpetrators."

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Top photo from London Metropolitan Police and Jonathan Mok / FB