Dalston attack: Nine sentenced after people 'sprayed with noxious substance' near London gay club

Group shouted homophobic abuse at victims

Nine men have been sentenced over an unprovoked attack in London that left one victim with a fractured eye socket.

A number of people were also sprayed with a noxious substance during the violence.

Onur Ardic, one of the attackers, began an argument with an unidentified man in Dalston, Hackney, at 5.15am on 5 May last year.

The man was quickly surrounded by the rest of the group, who then launched what the Metropolitan Police described as a “ferocious attack”, kicking and punching the man for a sustained period of time.

People who had left a nearby club attempted to help the original victim but Huseyin Onel, another attacker, sprayed a noxious substance in some of the crowd’s faces.

A second man who attempted to film the incident was also kicked to the ground and beaten.

A large brawl erupted and the second victim was left with a fractured eye socket and corrosive burns to his eye.

Police said it was first thought his injuries would be life changing but he had made a recovery described by doctors as “miraculous”.

The violence ended only after the attackers drove away, shouting homophobic comments at the group as they did so.

The attack took place on Alvington Crescent, close to popular gay club Dalston Superstore, which had been closed for several hours when the violence occurred.

On Thursday a court sentenced Huseyin Onel, one of the attackers, to 17 years in prison for applying a noxious substance causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) and a further three years on extended licence.

He also received nine years each for six counts of casting a noxious substance and three years for violent disorder to run concurrently.

Mehmet Tekagac, was sentenced to 14-and-a-half years in prison for applying a noxious substance causing GBH and an additional three years on extended licence.

He also received eight years for robbery and three years for violent disorder to run concurrently.

Onur Ardic, the 27-year-old who entered the argument with the first victim, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for applying a noxious substance causing GBH and three years on extended licence.

He was also sentenced to three years for violent disorder to run concurrently.

The first victim, who spoke to Ardic, has not been identified.

The court also sentenced Mustafa Kiziltan to a total of three years in prison for charges of violent disorder and dangerous driving.

Serkan Kiziltan recieved an 18 month sentence for violent disorder and Umit Kaygisiz was handed 28 months for the same charge and for attempting to convey a prohibited item into prison.

Yasam Erdogan and Turgut Adakan were both handed 18 months for violent disorder, suspended for two years.

All nine suspects were identified, arrested and charged over four months.

“Seven violent and dangerous men have been removed from London’s streets today and will now spend a lengthy time locked up in prison,” Detective Constable David Leitner said.

“The level of violence used in this attack, coupled with the speed that this incident escalated, are truly shocking.”