A MAN was taken to hospital after he was sprayed with a mystery liquid in a terrifying attack as he returned from a music festival.

The 34-year-old was with a 32-year-old woman when they were approached by a black Audi A3 on Howard Street, East Oxford, at about 12.05am on Sunday.

They were both sprayed with an unknown liquid, before five people got out of the vehicle and assaulted one of the victims.

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Although the liquid was not dangerous and did not cause any damage, the man sustained swelling to his face in the incident and was treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital. He has since been discharged.

The five offenders are described as black and Asian, all aged 18 to 25-years-old, and wearing dark clothing, while the car had tinted windows and two-tone silver alloy wheels.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following the 'unprovoked' assault, especially anyone who has CCTV or dash cam footage.

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Investigating officer PC Matthew Watson, based at Cowley police station, said: “This was a frightening incident for the victims, who were returning home from a music festival.

“The attack appears to have been completely unprovoked and I am appealing to anybody who was in the area in the early hours of Sunday morning who believes that they may have witnessed the incident or saw the black Audi A3 in the area to contact the 24-hour non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 43190188944."

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or make a report online.