Drugs gang attacks barrister

A barrister was nearly blinded in one eye after being smashed in the face with a brick in what police believe was an attempt by criminal gangs to stop a drugs trial.

Brian O'Neill was struck as he walked with two Met detectives towards the entrance to Wood Green Crown court in north London. His attacker escaped in a waiting car.

It is believed to be one of the most blatant efforts ever made by organised crime gangs to force the collapse of a trial.

The incident happened almost two years ago - in February 2002 - and can now be revealed after the end of a series of trials linked to the attack and the lifting of reporting restrictions.

Mr O'Neill was walking along Lordship Lane towards the court when a white man overtook him, turned and hit him above the eye with a house brick.

Mr O'Neill, 41, said: "I felt what I can only describe as an explosion in my face. I was falling backwards and I remember thinking 'Don't fall down'.

"I remember trying to keep my eyes open but not being able to see out of the right eye - there was blood running down the side of my face and pooling at my feet. I know now that half an inch lower and I would have lost that eye."

It became clear the attack was not random when the car's registration number was traced and it emerged the vehicle had been reported as suspicious outside Mr O'Neill's home the night before.

The family of Mr O'Neill, who was secretary of the Criminal Bar Association at the time, were given police protection and advised to move out of their home temporarily. The trial was abandoned when officials grew suspicious that a juror might have been intimidated. The main defendant was eventually jailed for 10 years for running a drugs gang. However, the man who attacked Mr O'Neill was not caught.

A police source said: "We were convinced this was an attack not just on an individual but on the criminal justice system."