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PARK STRIFE
Love Island’s Anna Vakili, 29, and her sister in punch-up with ‘teenage girls’ after boozy picnic in park
LOVE Island star Anna Vakili and her sister Mandi were filmed in a blazing row with "teenage girls" in a London park which saw punches thrown.
Footage shows reality star Anna, 29, and Mandi, 28, arguing with another group in London's Kensington Gardens on Bank Holiday Monday.
A spokesman for Anna told Sun Online Mandi and her cousin had been "hit and punched" and "threatened with illegal weapons" during an "unprovoked violent and verbal attack" by a group who tried to steal their belongings.
The sisters and their pals had been enjoying a boozy picnic in the park, with footage posted on Love Island 2019 star Anna’s Instagram page to her 1.2 million followers.
Mandi also shared an Insta story showing the group laughing and lapping up the Bank Holiday sunshine before the row erupted.
In the mobile phone footage, Mandi is seen appearing to strike one of the girls apparently in defence after they were arguing.
Mandi took to Instagram again today to show the mark left on her forehead after the park fight.
Moments before, one witness claims a girl the pair were with had been punched by the gang.
The eyewitness said the violence erupted after a disagreement between Anna, Mandi and their female pal and the other group.
A witness told The Sun: “It was shocking to see. I was only there for a stroll in the park and I recognised Anna and her sister.
“I could see some tension between them and another group and I thought it was going to kick off.
“There was swearing and shouting from the group of girls. I thought it might be because of who they were. But something clearly happened.
“I could see one of the girls Anna and Mandi were with had been attacked and moments later that’s when Mandi struck one of the girls in the group twice.
“Anna didn’t get physical but was there and involved in the furious argument at the start.
“She was on a scooter and they had a dog with them. It was a furious argument with the group of girls. There was finger pointing, shouting and screaming. It got heated.
“Then Anna was with Mandi when they approached the girl and Mandi struck her twice.
“This was after the girl they were with had been put on the floor after being struck. I think they were trying to defend that girl. It was a messy situation."
A spokesman for Anna told Sun Online: "Anna and Mandi Vakili and others in their group were involved in an unprovoked violent and verbal attack on Monday in Hyde Park which included Mandi and their cousin being hit and punched and the group of attackers attempting to steal their belongings.
"The very serious matter is now being dealt with the police as they were threatened with illegal weapons during the attack.”
Anna added on Instagram today: "I can't get out of bed, I'm exhausted and sick of the abuse since coming off TV. And now accusations from a small clip which isn't the full story.
"Witnesses saw they attacked us for no reason. Anyone else trying to enjoy themselves on a picnic and their little cousin gets attacked bleeding for NO REASON what would they do?
"Just because of fame you think you can tear me down. These people are winning - I hope you are all happy that they will continue to treat people this way because they can get away with it as the "victims".
"I don't care about my image. God knows the truth. The world is undair but God knows."
A Met police spokesman said: "We are aware of an allegation of assault in Hyde Park, on Monday, 25 May, at approximately 20:00hrs.
“We will attempt to contact the complainant to establish the circumstances.”
Last month, Anna revealed she had returned to work as a pharmacist during the coronavirus crisis.
She previously quit her job to appear on the ITV2 dating show last summer.
Anna didn’t get physical but was there and involved in the furious argument at the start
An eyewitness
Explaining her decision, she told fans: “First day back working as a pharmacist since leaving Love Island. It’s been almost a whole year! Wow can’t believe how fast it’s gone.
“Wasn’t really planning on registering yet but with everything that’s going on it felt wrong not to. We can all fight this together. Stay safe. Stay home. Save lives.”
She took to Instagram to share a snap of herself behind the counter for the first time in nearly a year.
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Mandi is described as a “beauty guru” and a “social media influencer” and lives in London.
She acted as Anna’s social media representation while she was in the villa over the summer,
The lookalike sisters are often mistaken for twins and spend a lot of time together.
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