Neighbour heard cries of 'help me' as man was assaulted (From Times Series)

Neighbour heard cries of help from man assaulted in quiet Friern Barnet cul-de-sac that is "like Brookside"

1:03pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Chris Hewett

A neighbour heard cries of “help me” and “I can’t believe it” as a man was assaulted in a Friern Barnet flat last night.

The victim, believed to be in his 30s, later died in hospital and this morning a murder investigation is underway.

Police discovered the man in the top floor apartment of a block of rented flats in Larch Close, at the corner with Poplar Grove, at 11.20am.

He was taken by ambulance to Whittington Hospital in central London but was pronounced dead at 3.50am.

Behrooz Bazzaz lives in the block with his wife and their 11-year-old son. The Iranian businessman heard what he believed was fighting in one of the apartments before a man cried for help.

The 41-year-old said: “There was a lot of bumping and crashing, it sounded like two or three guys fighting. Someone shouted ‘help me’ before someone else screamed ‘shut up’. There was one voice just saying ‘I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it’.

“Someone was shouting ‘call the police, please, call the police’ and after that I heard the sirens. I was very worried so when I heard them it was a relief. I’m shocked. It makes me worry about how safe the area is and about the safety of my son.”

Location of Friern Barnet assault

A murder investigation is underway this morning as police await the results of a post mortem, expected to be carried out this afternoon.

Police sealed off the front entrances and rear car park of the flats today while forensics officers in grey boiler suits examined the scene.

Residents have been allowed in and out of the building but officers have stopped any cars within the wide cordon from being moved.

Joaquin Pinto, of Poplar Grove, has lived near the flats for several years and was surprised to hear the news.

The 41-year-old restaurant worker said: “It is very quiet around here. There is never anyone in the streets. I’m shocked – this is very strange.

“I’ve never heard of something like this around here – there is never any trouble.”

Detectives reportedly know the identity of the man and his next of kin are being informed.

No possible cause of death has yet been established but police confirmed the man was assaulted before he was taken to hospital.

The surrounding community remains in shock at the episode in the quiet cul-de-sac one woman described as being “like Brookside”.

One neighbour, who would only give his name as John, said: “It is very disturbing. I have lived here for nearly 40 years. It is frightening – this is a very decent area.

“When you hear about something like this it’s terrible – you wonder what will happen next.”