A Turkish man has been shot in the face and beaten up in what police are treating as a retaliation attack following last week's football murders.

Basildon police have confirmed they will consider a racial motive in their investigation into the attack on Yavuz Haman-Kaya.

The 33-year-old victim has told them this is the reason he was assaulted as he answered the front door of his home in St Luke's Close, Laindon.

The two men hit him over the head with a bottle, struck him with the butt of an air rifle and then shot him in the cheek with an airgun pellet.

The attack comes just days after two Leeds fans were stabbed to death in Istanbul before last week's UEFA Cup semi-final clash with Galatasaray.

Det Sgt Joel Henderson at Basildon police said Mr Haman-Kaya believed he was attacked in revenge for the murders.

He said: "He claims to be an ex-political prisoner from Turkey who was abused and threatened by the authorities over there.

"He mentioned the Leeds match last week and in his opinion he was attacked because of that."

Mr Haman-Kaya was taken to Basildon Hospital following Friday's attack, which happened at 8.40pm. He was discharged on Saturday. Police are still trying to trace the attackers.

One was white, 21, 5ft 10in tall and heavily built. He had short black hair, was clean-shaven and wore a black T-shirt and jeans.

The other man was also white, 19 years old, 5ft 7in tall and slim. He had very short shaven blond hair, was also clean-shaven and wore a white T-shirt. Both men had local accents and both were believed to be drunk.

Anyone with information should contact Basildon CID on 01268 532212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Police have said they are growing increasingly concerned about the number of attacks involving airguns, which have mushroomed in the Laindon area over the last week.

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