'The next person might not be that lucky': Telford student left scarred after being stabbed by gang speaks about ordeal
A Polish man stabbed in the neck by a gang in Telford today spoke of his ongoing pain – and his disappointment the culprits have not been brought to justice.
Bartosz Milewski was attacked in a town park when he was heard speaking his native language. He was struck in the neck with a broken bottle, leaving him with a large scar.
Almost 12 months after the attack, three people have been arrested and later released and nobody has been charged. But Mr Milewski has to live with the consequences of his injuries following the stabbing in St Matthews Road, Donnington, on September 16.
The 22-year-old, who recently returned to Telford after graduating with a sports development degree from Portsmouth University, said: “The experience has been difficult, particularly at the beginning. It has had influences on me, my family and close friends. No one could believe that it happened.
“I have been asked loads of questions from many people because of that scar. I can’t really get away from it.
“I couldn’t drive at the beginning. I can now but when I turn with my head it still hurts. I still get headaches every day. It’s quite a big scar on the left side of the neck which hurts.
“Police did make a few arrests but I don’t think they were involved – no-one has been charged. It’s difficult because it’s been such a long time, police have all the necessary information but can’t do anything. It’s not about me. There might be another case and the next person might not be that lucky.”
West Mercia Police said a 26-year-old of no fixed address, a 21-year-old from Telford and a 19-year-old had been arrested and released.
A group objected to Mr Milewski’s native language and a fight broke out. He suffered a gash to his neck and needed 13 stitches at the Princess Royal Hospital. The graduate has lived in England for eight years after moving to the country from Poland when he was 14. Police are treating the attack as a racially aggravated hate crime and investigations continue.
Mr Mr Milewski does not recall the incident vividly but says he was in the park with his friend for around 30 minutes when the group attacked him for speaking Polish.
He added: “It’s hard to say if someone will be caught because it’s been a while now since it happened.
“I get a lot of attention and it’s still following me. At the beginning it affected my lifestyle because I couldn’t move my head for the first few months. And I couldn’t do anything physical.”
Anyone with any information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
