Student Mariam Moustafa dies after 'girl gang attack' in Nottingham

A grieving father has called for "justice" following the death of his daughter, who had been in a coma for three weeks after an alleged attack by a group of girls in the street.

Engineering student Mariam Moustafa, 18, died on Wednesday following the assault in Nottingham on February 20.

Her father Mohamed Moustafa said his "angel" had also been the victim of another attack several months beforehand, but that nothing had been done to catch those responsible.

In the attack in February, the teenager was allegedly punched several times during a confrontation with a group of girls.

After getting on a bus near the Victoria Centre shopping complex, it is claimed the group followed her and were threatening and abusive towards her.

Ms Moustafa was taken to hospital where she was put in an induced coma before her death.

Speaking about the alleged attack, Mr Moustafa said: "These people came up to her and said 'Black Rose' and she said 'no my name is Mariam' and they started to hit her."

He said up to 10 people were attacking her but could not be certain as there were "so many".

The student had been involved in another incident with her younger sister in August last year, he said, in which they were also attacked by a group of girls.

Mr Moustafa, 50, said nothing was done due to "no CCTV" being available and because the girls were not known to them.

The teenager's death has sparked outrage in Egypt, where her family comes from, with the country's embassy calling on those responsible to be "brought to justice swiftly".

Speaking about support from Egypt, Mr Moustafa said: "People have given me very good support. It's not fair because I live in this country and the support should come from this country as well."

Nottinghamshire Police has said there is no evidence so far to suggest the teenager's death was the result of a hate crime, although officers are "keeping an open mind".

Mr Moustafa said: "I want justice for my daughter - not just my daughter but also so this doesn't happen to another girl or another boy.

"My daughter was like an angel. She would do anything for anyone - a very kind girl. She meant the world to me. She tried to help anyone - if they needed money or anything, she would always help.

"All of my family - my son, my daughter - they have all been crying after what happened. It's not fair.

"I needed some help and it came after, when she died."

A 17-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and has been bailed pending further investigation.