A 40-year-old man has been violently assaulted in yet another homophobic attack on Clapham Common.

The victim, who suffered severe facial injuries and a broken right leg, was set upon at about 4am on Saturday March 18, close to the wooded area of the common next to the tennis courts.

No arrests have been made.

Last October the gay bar manager Jody Dobrowski was murdered in another vicious attack on the common, a popular gay cruising spot.

The 24-year-old was beaten so badly that his family could not recognise him. He had to be identified by his fingersprints.

Two men are currently on trial for the murder.

At least two other men were assaulted in seperate attacks days before Mr Dobrowski was killed.

Strangled with scarf

In the latest attack the victim had been talking to the suspect and suggested he was gay. The attacker then became extremely agitated and assaulted him, knocking him unconscious.

A witness called the police and an ambulance, which took him to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where he has since undergone surgery on his leg.

Inquiries revealed the suspect, who is described as black, aged about 40 to 45, stocky, 5ft 9ins tall and wearing a black hooded top with a white band on the hood and dark trousers, had earlier behaved in an aggressive manner to a 29-year-old man in the same area.

During this earlier incident the suspect had grabbed a scarf worn by the victim, pulling it tight and causing minor injuries to his neck.

Detective Chief Inspector Sue Knight said: "We want to hear from anyone who may have information about this man.

"We recognise that some people, particularly those using this area of the common may be reluctant to come forward, however we can assure them that any information they provide will be treated in the strictest confidence and they will be treated sensitively.

"We would also urge people to be extremely careful and consider their personal safety if they are using this area in the hours of darkness."

Anyone with information is urged to contact Wandsworth CID on 020 8247 5435, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or the Galop Shoutline on 020 7704 2040.