Woman, 20, burned in acid attack on way home from Westfield Stratford City
Naomi after the attack - Credit: Archant
A woman is recovering after an apparent random acid attack on her way home from work in Stratford left her with horrific injuries.
Naomi Oni, who works at Victoria’s Secret in Westfield Stratford City, said she had just got off a bus in Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, when someone concealed with a veil threw the chemical in her face.
The 20-year-old was severely burnt by the substance and spent almost a month at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford receiving treatment, including skin grafts.
No-one has been arrested following the attack on December 30 and police said they are keeping an “open mind” as to the motive.
A friend of Naomi, Sheila Maclean, said the young woman had been on her way home from work when the frightening assault happened.
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She said: “She was about to get off the bus at 11.45pm and noticed a woman in a niqab [a Muslim veil] standing at the opposite bus stop. When she got off the bus she noticed the person had gone.
“Naomi then heard someone walking close behind her. As she turned, the woman came up behind her and threw the substance in her face.
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“She realised what had happened and ran the short distance to her home. Fortunately her mother had visitors and one was a pharmacist who rushed her to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face.”
Naomi was then taken to hospital by ambulance.
Sheila explained Naomi has “no idea” who the attacker is and said she and her mother, who is disabled, have been too frightened to return to their home in Bromhall Road.
They hope that publicising the assault could lead to the arrest of the person responsible.
A Barking and Dagenham Police spokesman said: “Officers from Barking and Dagenham investigate and retain an open mind as to motive at this stage. No arrests have been made, inquiries continue.”
Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
