Stabbed and mugged – Battersea restaurant owner appeals for witnesses

BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk

A West Indian takeaway owner and pensioner has lambasted police for not doing enough to find the man who stabbed him in the arm and stole his phone and chequebook.

Dalovan Crawford, owner of Peas and Rice in Grove Vale, East Dulwich was attacked on January 25 at 10.40pm in Coppock Close, Battersea, but there have been no arrests.

The 76-year-old had tendons severed on his left hand – his normal writing hand – which required stitches.

“It has been a long while now and still I have heard nothing,” he said. “I am disappointed with certain aspects. I saw this guy coming towards me. He said ‘Give me all you’ve got’.

“He didn’t give me the chance to do anything – just started stabbing me.

“All I could see was the knife lunging at me about six times.

“I had two small bags on my shoulder and threw them at him. He grabbed them and ran off.

“I could not run after him as I was bleeding quite badly and needed assistance – I ran to a friend’s flat.

“The police arrived first and tried to stop the flow of blood and later took some notes from what I said.

“I was taken to St George’s Hospital and they also interviewed me there.

“He was all masked up. I could not give much of a description apart from his being 6ft tall.”

Medics at St George’s performed an operation to sew the tendons back together the next day and took the stitches out two weeks later. “I still can’t do anything with it,” said Danovan.

“I have asked the police whether there was any CCTV but they said there was only one camera in operation, on Falcon Road – but I have discovered several others in the area.

“My son and I went looking. But they said the footage was not up to standard.

“They must have footage of someone running away with two bags?

“They contained my chequebook, van keys and my phone chargers – and very important papers I cannot replace.

“I know I could not give a lot of description because he was wearing a mask but I am not happy.

“I have spoken to the police officers in charge of the investigation. “I never usually have any trouble here and I have had this place for 25 years.”

Police have confirmed the victim was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The Met’s spokeswoman confirmed: “The victim was unpacking items from his car when he was approached by the suspect.

The suspect told the victim to give him everything before attacking him with a knife. He then grabbed two bags and made off on foot.

The suspect is described as a black male, about 6ft, of athletic build. He was wearing a face covering.”

No arrests have been made.

Police turned down the ­opportunity to comment on the story.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD8474/25JAN or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.