Police have released horrifying images of brutal assault on a defenceless man whose only crime was being unlucky enough to be in their path.

No doubt fuelled by booze and angry after Englands defeat at the hands of Portugal during the World Cup the gang of men were clearly in the mood for trouble - and they found it.

Crossing the West Quay retail park in Southampton having watched the match at the Leisure World complex across the road, the group were heading towards the city centre.

It is there they happened to meet a 22-year-old Asian man who was also walking across the car park with his brother-in-law after watching the game themselves.

Possibly mistaking him for being Portuguese, the gang singled out the victim and after hurling racial abuse began chasing and attacking him.

Hopelessly outnumbered and now separated from his brother-in-law the 22-year-old was circled, beaten and kicked in the head several times before his body dropped to the ground, unconscious.

Lying there he was kicked twice more before having a lit cigarette thrown on to him and being spat on....

Investigating officer DC Stuart Pearson said: "Remarkably physically he wasnt too badly injured but mentally it is going to leave a scar on him."

Talking about the attack that is being treated as a racially motivated violent disorder DC Pearson said: "The victim was pleading with them that they were English and they were as upset as they were that England had lost.["] [Link]