Men left for dead in possible racist attack (From Times Series)

Men left for dead in possible racist attack

10:29am Thursday 2nd August 2001

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Two friends were left for dead by a gang of three youths in Thornton Heath.

The attack happened at the junction of Bensham Manor Road and Ecclesbourne Road at 10.30pm on July 21.

A Woodside father received two fractured cheek bones, a broken nose and gash to his forehead, but may need a metal plate inserted in his head after he was knocked to the ground with an electric heater and battered with a concrete block.

His friend, due to be married later this year, was stabbed in the chest and treated at Mayday hospital for a punctured lung.

One victim, 26, who has the facial injuries, said: “The worst thing is my daughter (18 months) doesn't want to give me a cuddle because she can't recognise me.

“It's not something I can forget.”

He said three black men approached him and his friend and accused them of bumping into them.

Then he was knocked out as they hit him on the head with a heater and then threw a concrete block on his face.

He added: “There was no provocation and the police are treating it as a racist attack.

“They are calling it attempted murder.”

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