Evening Standard/London
A supermarket security guard is being hailed as a hero for protecting two teenagers who sought refuge in his shop after being attacked with a sword in a north London street.
The bloodsoaked victims, aged 18 and 19, collapsed unconscious on the floor of the Budgens store in Clerkenwell after being chased and knifed by four masked men riding two mopeds.
Robert Owusu, 49, slammed and locked the shop doors and stood guard to protect the boys as customers administered first aid and called police.
Owusu said the first boy “staggered” into the shop near Exmouth Market with three friends and collapsed in a pool of blood in the cleaning products aisle.
Moments later, another boy followed him inside and slumped to the floor by the tills.
Both had been stabbed in the back with the two-foot long sword after they were ambushed by the gang in Tysoe Street at around 8.15pm last Friday.
Owusu said: “I thought they might be shoplifters but then one said ‘one of ours has been stabbed’. They asked for a tissue. At first I didn’t believe them, then I saw the tissue was soaked in blood.
“The other boy came in and fell down at the front of the shop. I could see the blood coming from his back too.”
Owusu, who has worked for London Security Service for two years, locked the doors and stood guard at the entrance to make sure the attackers could not return.
He said: “I stood by the door and stopped anyone coming in. The boys were terrified and the two boys who were stabbed were unconscious. People say I’m a hero but I’m not sure about that. It was my job.”
Scotland Yard have launched an appeal to trace the four youths who carried out the attack.
A Met spokesman said: “Two teenagers were in the street with their friends when they were confronted by a pair of mopeds with pillion passengers. One of the teenagers was on his pedal bike and the other was on foot.
“As the mopeds approached the two friends, one of the mopeds drove into the 18-year-old on his bike, knocking him to the ground. He got up and was then chased down the street by one of the suspects wielding a 2ft sword.
“A chase ensued as the 18-year-old victim ran off towards Wilmington Square. He ran into a nearby convenience store and the staff alerted police. First aid was given by staff in the store prior to arrival of the London Ambulance Service.
“The 19-year-old ran off and was attacked by another suspect in Skinner Street. He was stabbed and ran into the same store in Wilmington Square.
“Both men were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service. They were treated for stab wounds and have since been discharged.
“The suspects are all described as wearing dark clothing, dark helmets and black trousers.”
A gang has been jailed for a vicious knife attack on a man who challenged them over their racist language and offensive behaviour in front of children on a London bus.
The group, all aged between 19 and 23, followed their victim off the rail replacement service in Uxbridge, west London, before launching a violent attack that saw him punched and slashed in the neck with a knife.
On the morning of August 10 2014, the victim, who is in his mid-20s, challenged the group’s behaviour on the top deck of a bus from Eastcote to Uxbridge town centre. They had been using racially offensive language and were swearing loudly in front of passengers including young children, police said.
The victim politely asked them to consider their language as there were young people and families present. Shortly after getting off the bus the victim was confronted by the group in an alleyway off York Road. He was punched in the head and one of the men lunged at the victim with a knife, slashing him on the neck.
Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended following a 999 call from a witness and the victim was taken to a west London hospital for treatment.
He has since made a good recovery.
Detective sergeant Paul Matthews from Hillingdon CID, said: “Justice has finally been handed to a brave victim who has shown nothing but humility throughout this investigation.
“His defence of his fellow bus passengers and standing up to anti-social behaviour led to an attack which may have resulted in an even more dire outcome.”
Ethan Fredrick, 19, was today sentenced to ten years imprisonment for affray, attempted GBH and possessing an offensive weapon at Isleworth Crown Court.
Kieron Benoit and Iane Lester, both 23, were sentenced to 27 months and two years respectively for affray.
Alex Hall, 20, was sentenced to two years imprisonment for affray and theft after stealing the victim’s jacket.
Security Guard Robert Owusu
