Man loses eye after serious assault

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at Granville Rd SW18 junction with Merton Rd on 31 July at approx 00:53hrs

Police in Wandsworth are appealing for information and witnesses to the serious assault, officers arrived to find a man in his mid twenties suffering from serious head injuries. He was originally taken by London Ambulance Service to Charing Cross Hospital but was subsequently transferred to a specialist eye hospital due to the severity of his injuries. As a result of these injuries the man has had to have his right eye removed. He also suffered further injuries to his face and remains in hospital in what has been described a stable condition.

The victim together with three friends (2 female and one male) had enjoyed a night out together in Wimbledon. They caught the No:156 bus to Merton Rd where they got off outside the Park Tavern Public House. They then doubled back towards Granville Rd where they saw a group of approx 7-8 boys aged in their mid to late teens standing on the corner.

As the group went past the teenagers, one of the victim's friends commented about a bike left in the middle of the pavement. The suspects took great exception to this and hurled verbal abuse at them. They swiftly made off but were followed by the suspects who threw bottles and bricks at them.

One of the group then retaliated and gave chase to a suspect. He was a short way down Merton Rd , when he turned and saw his friend being assaulted by the remainder of the group with a glass bottle/s.

The suspects are described as white in their mid to late teens, wearing hooded tops, with some on bicycles. They were last seen disappearing down Merton Rd. The 2 main suspects are described as follows: [1] white, 18 y/o approx 5ft 8" tall of a skinny build with very short brown hair and a long face. He was wearing hooded dark grey jumper and blue denim jeans. [2] white approx 17 y/o , 5ft 6-5ft 7" tall with dark short hair . He was wearing a blue T shirt.

T/Dc Bakrani who is investigating this crime said: " This is a disgraceful and unprovoked attack and as a result a young man has lost his eye. The rest of the group are lucky to have escaped serious injury given the objects being thrown at them. If you witnessed the assault or have any information that could assist the enquiry please call police on 020 8247 8457, or alternatively Crime stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous on 0800 555 111"

August 9, 2005