TWO Kosovar refugees were attacked by three youths during a nightmare journey on a Metrolink tram.

The uncle and nephew, who fled their homeland last year, were travelling from Bury towards Manchester when the attack took place.

Three youths boarded the tram at Radcliffe at 10.30pm and began taunting the two male refugees before physically assaulting them with a brandy bottle and bricks.

The Kosovars, aged 40 and 17, sustained cuts to their hands and heads. They needed treatment at North Manchester General Hospital before being allowed home to Cheetham Hill.

The attack, which took place on January 31 between the Prestwich and Heaton Park Metrolink station where thugs escaped, only came to light this week.

The Kosovars and a number of passengers on the tram were met by police at Bowker Vale and the tram was taken out of service for forensic examination. A bottle, house bricks and a fire extinguisher have also been seized by police for tests.

Detective Sergeant Dave Maguire of Bury police said: "The Kosovars were subjected to a racially motivated and horrific attack by three thugs. "The offenders got on the tram at Radcliffe and started to verbally abuse them. They were then attacked."

The teenager gashed his hands when he was struck by the house brick. His uncle cut his head when he was hit by the bottle.

Police have now released a photofit of one of the three men being sought.

The main attacker is described as white, approximately 6ft tall, 22 years, of medium build and athletic looking. He has short dark hair which was slightly longer on the top and either waxed or gelled.

He has dark brown eyes, olive coloured skin and was wearing a beige track-suit type top, matching casual trousers and white "Reebok Classic" trainers.

The second attacker is also white, aged 18, approximately 5ft 4 inches tall, of medium build with short blond hair. He was wearing a dark blue track-suit.

The third offender is not described.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Bury Crime Management Unit on 0161 856 8157 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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