Stabbing victim 'thought he was going to die' in gang attack (From Enfield Independent)

Stabbing victim 'thought he was going to die' in gang attack

1:09pm Tuesday 9th February 2010

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A YOUNG man stabbed 15 times outside his house in Enfield last week has called for stricter penalties on teenaged knife crime.

The 22-year-old has scars across his face, neck, torso and leg after around 15 teenagers attacked him with knives and screwdrivers in Kettering Road at 6.30pm on Friday.

He was discharged from Chase Farm Hospital on Sunday night, but says he still has trouble eating, breathing and walking.

His five-month-old dog, an American Mastiff called Tyson, is also recovering after being stabbed in the liver.

The man, who did not want to be named for safety reasons, said he was attacked by the gang after Tyson ran out of the front door when his friend arrived.

"My friend left my house, but came back a few minutes later because he'd been surrounded by about 15 boys outside," he said. "When I opened the door, my dog ran out and ran after them.

"He just wanted to play - he's not an aggressive dog - but they stabbed him twice.

"I ran after them, but they all chased me and knocked me down. It felt like they were punching me, but it turns out they were stabbing me.

"It was only when I came to take a deep breath and saw blood pouring down my face that I knew. Then I collapsed."

The man, who called the ambulance himself, said he "thought he was going to die" as he drifted in and out of consciousness.

According to doctors, he said, the only reason he survived was because of his large size.

He added: "I'm a respectful guy in this area. I would never have expected this to happen to me. I'm meant to be the nice guy around here.

"Now I don't feel safe around here anymore, not for myself, but for my mum. I'm thinking that I need to be carrying a knife just to defend myself, but I know that's not right.

"The police need to be stricter in dealing with these people. It's pathetic.

"These kids will be in prison or bodybags by the age of 20, but parents should not be burying their children before them."

The victim's 18-year-old friend said: "I saw him come around the corner covered in blood and stab wounds. I was really worried.

"He gave his phone to me, then dropped onto the floor.

"I've never experienced anything like this before around here."

Neighbour Nesimi Erbil, 40, said the area had become increasingly dangerous since he moved in in 1997. He now refuses to allow his teenaged son and daughter outside after dark because of "aggressive" gangs that congregate on the street corner.

He said: "They sit on the metal fence and are always shouting things and running up and down.

"I don't know where they come from. They don't live on the estate.

"They are always scaring my kids, though I've never seen any of them with weapons."

The victim described his attackers as black, aged in their mid-teens and wearing hooded tops.

No arrests have been made, but two black men wearing hooded tops were seen running away from Kettering Road towards Ordnance Road.

Two knives have been recovered by police from the scene.

Detective Inspector Paul Burton of Enfield CID said: "This was a very nasty incident and it is a miracle that the victim is still alive. We are keeping an open mind regarding a motive.

"We would ask anyone who witnessed or has any information regarding this incident to come forward to help us with our investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to call Enfield CID on 0208 345 4587 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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