A man who was injured when he was doused with a flammable liquid and set on fire at a Leicester pub has said he still has nightmares about the attack.
A £5,000 reward has been offered after a serious assault at a Leicester pub which resulted in two men receiving burn injuries.
The incident took place at about 12.40am on Tuesday October 25 at the Rainbow and Dove Public House in Charles Street. The fire ignited in the beer garden at the pub and two men, aged 21 and 20, were taken to Nottingham City Hospital.
The 21-year-old victim, Russell Banks, remains in hospital in a stable condition. The 20-year-old victim, Robert Laszewsk, was discharged from hospital yesterday (Wednesday November 2).
"We went for a cigarette and the next thing I can remember I was on fire" Robert says. "I went on to the floor and started rolling and took my clothes off. Then I went straight to the toilet and put lots of water on my face. The next thing I can remember is paramedics helped me and put a healing mask on my face and then we went to hospital," he said.
Mr Laszewsk was given a skin graft on his arm before being discharged from hospital.
"I was in lots of pain and my mind is a blank, really.
"I think I'm doing OK. It's more comfortable at home and I've got my mum over here, but it's quite hard for me because I have nightmares and think about it quite a lot."
Two men aged 28 and 20, have been arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Detective Inspector Simon Preston is overseeing the investigation, he said: “We have had a good response to previous appeals but we are still keen to speak to anyone who has any information about the incident or the events leading up to it.
“We hope the £5,000 reward will encourage people to come forward with information which could assist with the investigation.
“This was a serious offence which will no doubt leave a lasting effect on both victims and it is vitally important that we find the person responsible.
“The footage we have released today (Thursday November 3) shows a man running away from the scene shortly after the incident, this person may have burn injuries. Watch the BBC report with the CCTV fottage here.
“We are appealing to this man to contact the police and anyone else who may know someone who has received burn injuries recently. Do you know someone who has visited a medical practice requesting treatment for similar injuries?
“Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could hold the key to us detecting this crime.
“If you were in the Charles Street area during the early hours of Tuesday October 25 and you witnessed the incident or the events leading up to it we would urge you to contact the police, if you haven’t done so already.
“It’s vitally important that we speak to everyone who was in the area as the smallest of detail could help us. Any calls received will be treated in confidence.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact DS 1152 John Farndon at Leicestershire Police or call Crimestoppers, which is free** and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
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