Trainee Ilford nurse ‘scratched and slapped’ by driver in ‘terrifying’ attack

Hannah O’Mara was repeatedly slapped and scratched before being grabbed by the throat.

She was driving back from her carer job at about 1pm when she noticed a blue-coloured car driving too closely behind her.

When Miss O’Mara tried to do a three-point-turn near her house in Mortlake Road, Ilford, she claims the woman got out of her car and hurled abuse at her.

Miss O’Mara said: “She was tail-gating me. I tried to turn and she started bibbing and waving her arms.

“She told me to get out my car but I said ‘no’. She slapped me on one of my cheeks then told me again to get out the car.”

When Miss O’Mara refused she was slapped again while being subjected to a torrent of abuse.

“After the second time she slapped me she grabbed my throat and she grabbed my hair,” said Miss O’Mara.

“I was so shocked. I had never been in a situation like that before. I didn’t think people went round doing things like that.”

The woman is described as being in her last 20s or early 30s and wearing a sari. She was driving a dark blue or black Ford Mondeo.

Miss O’Mara, who is in her final year before becoming a qualified nurse, said: “I’m still shaken, I get scared that I’m going to see her.”

The family have been living at their home in Ilford for almost 30 years but the incident has caused them to consider moving.

Her father Patrick, 53, of the same address, said: “I’m angry that someone can do this and just walk away. It’s a senseless attack, I’m shocked really. We have been here for years, it just seems like the place is getting worse.”

The attack happened on Monday of last week. If you saw the incident call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.