A gay man was tied up and violently beaten in his home last week by a man 'who reminded him of Russell Crowe', according to police.

The 29-year-old man was approached by his attacker about 5am at the south side of the Clapham Common tube station.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said he engaged his victim in conversation and the pair left together. They went to various locations before returning to the man's house.

The suspect turned violent after he asked the victim for money and was refused.

During the "terrifying ordeal" the man's attacker tied up his victim with the flex of a portable heater. When he tried to escape from his flat he hit him over the head with a whiskey bottle and kicked him in the head.

The suspect then used the aerial lead from the television to tie up his victim. He left the victim's flat with various electrical items and CDs.

The suspect said he came from Camberwell, and that for a living he worked as a poet or writer.

He also said his name was Giles but this may be false, a Scotland Yard spokesman said.

The suspect is described as a white man, about 35- years-old, 6" tall and of athletic build.

He had brown, collar-length, wavy hair and was wearing blue jeans with red and white trainers.

The victim stated that his attacker reminded him of the actor Russell Crowe.

The suspect also smelt of cannabis and had three lumps or nodules on his forehead, which the victim said were like ganglion. He had dirty unkempt fingernails.

The victim managed to bite the suspect very hard on his left leg above the knee during the attack, and this mark should still be clearly visible, the spokesman said.

DC David Lonergan investigating said: "This appears to have been a pre-meditated attack on a member of the gay community and my concern is that the suspect may have already committed similar offences before or has the propensity to commit further attacks."

He urged anyone who knew of any similar crimes or had any information to come forward as soon as possible.

Anyone with information should contact Lambeth police on 0208 649 2890; or if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

April 28, 2003 17:00