Former The Zutons Guitarist Hospitalised After Racist Attack in Liverpool
Boyan Chowdhury, a founding member of the band The Zutons, has revealed he could have been killed in what police describe as an abhorrent racist assault. The 46-year-old musician was attacked with a piece of wood in the Wavertree area of Liverpool, sustaining a head injury that required hospital treatment.
Shocking Details of the Assault
The incident occurred just after 2pm on Saturday, when Chowdhury was reportedly involved in an altercation with a group of men. He claims that if he had not turned around, the blow would have struck the back of his head, potentially proving fatal. Posting on Instagram, Chowdhury shared images of his injuries and stated, "If I hadn’t of turned around I believe I would’ve been struck on the back of the head and dead right now."
Merseyside Police have confirmed that Chowdhury was racially abused during the attack. Detective Inspector Debra Morley condemned the violence, saying, "This was a shocking assault that has absolutely no place in our communities. To racially abuse someone and then attack him with a weapon is abhorrent." She emphasised that the force is actively investigating and appealing for witnesses near Fieldway to come forward.
Police Response and Community Impact
In a strong statement, Merseyside Police reiterated their zero-tolerance stance on hate crime, noting that specially trained officers are handling the case with compassion and sensitivity. The attack has sparked outrage locally, with authorities urging the public to assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Detective Inspector Morley added, "Violence and hate crime will simply never be tolerated in our communities."
Background on Boyan Chowdhury and The Zutons
Boyan Chowdhury was part of the original lineup of The Zutons, a band that released three studio albums between 2004 and 2008 and achieved nine Top 40 singles, including hits like Valerie and Why Won’t You Give Me Your Love?. He left the band in 2007 due to mutual musical differences, replaced by Paul Molloy. At the time, bandmate Russell Pritchard expressed emotional distress over the departure, comparing it to a breakup.
This attack highlights ongoing issues with racism and violence in communities, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and support for victims. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to identify and apprehend those responsible.
