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Children watch in horror as father is stabbed on street
IT had been a perfect family evening out when suddenly a man dashed out with a knife and plunged it into a father in front of his six-year-old daughter.
As the victim, John Bradbury, 34, was mercifully recovering from life threatening injuries, police – sickened by the severity of the unprovoked attack last Friday night – were appealing for witnesses.
It happened in daylight in Pleasant Place, off Essex Road, as Mr Bradbury was strolling home with his partner Alysha and daughter. They were accompanied by their daughter’s seven-year-old friend and her mother.
The group had been out celebrating Mr Bradbury’s daughter’s birthday at Caffé Uno in Upper Street when the attack happened at 8.30pm.
The unknown attacker, approaching from Halton Street, plunged a nine-inch kitchen knife three times into Mr Bradbury’s back and arm. A fourth blow narrowly missed his neck, catching his cheek.
Mr Bradbury’s shocked girlfriend ran to a phone box in a desperate bid for help. The two little girls were left screaming.
Alysha said that both little girls were traumatised by the incident and will receive counselling.
“John is getting better and of course it could have been so much worse. But I’m worried about the little girls,” Alysha added.
“They were terribly frightened. It’s something you don’t want to witness at any age.
“We’ve never seen this man before in our lives. We don’t know if it was mistaken identity or something else.”
The suspect is described as black, wearing jeans and a grey top. Police have no further details at this time. No arrests have been made.
Detective Inspector Paul Healey from Islington CID is leading the investigation into the incident. He said: “This is a particularly nasty attack as it happened in front of two little girls aged six and seven. No child should have to witness this level of violence.
“Pleasant Place and Essex Road would have been reasonably busy at that time of night so I’m appealing for anyone who saw what happened to come forward and contact us.
“In particular I would like to hear from anyone who was at the nearby bus-stop or in the Embassy pub near to where the incident occurred who may have seen the suspect run off.”
Anyone with information should contact the investigating officers on 0207 421 0175. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. |
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