Police after appealing for help after a 49-year-old man was left unconscious after being attacked outside Jennings bookmakers on Charlton Church Lane at 7pm on Saturday evening, a couple of hours after the Charlton v Preston match and before the Blackheath fireworks display.
He remains in a critical condition in hospital. The shop and pavement were still sealed off early this morning.
From the Metropolitan Police:
A 49 year old man had entered the bookmakers alone at 18.40hrs. He placed a few bets and watched the races.
Shortly afterwards others entered the bookies – a man [Suspect 1], and another man [Suspect 2] and a woman who appeared to be together.
Suspect 1 is white, and in his mid-20s, with short dark hair. He wore a dark coloured jacket, blue denim jeans, and brown coloured shoes.
Suspect 2 is white, thought to be aged mid to late 20s, and has short dark hair. He wore a distinctive red long sleeved top with leather looking patches to the elbows and shoulders, blue jeans and dark coloured shoes.
The woman is white, thought to be in her mid-20s, and of large build. She has shoulder length dark coloured hair, and wore a white cardigan (with a black top underneath) and black leggings, and had a white handbag worn over her shoulder.
These three people subsequently left and waited outside, and were seen talking to each other.
The victim then left shortly after 19.00hrs and immediately Suspect 1 set upon him. He head-butted the victim, apparently knocking him unconscious.
Suspect 1 then punched and kicked the victim repeatedly. Suspect 2 also joined in the attack.
The woman watched the assault and then ran off down Charlton Church Lane.
The suspects then also ran off in the same direction at the woman, towards Charlton rail station.
The victim was left unconscious on the ground. He was taken by ambulance to a south London hospital where he is in a critical condition.
DS Mick Smith of Greenwich CID said: “This was a brutal and cowardly attack. The victim apparently fell unconscious after he was head-butted, and he was left completely defenceless as the suspects continued their assault.
“He suffered serious head injuries, and remains in a critical condition at hospital.
“The motive for the attack remains unknown at present, and nothing was taken from the victim.
“We need any witnesses who saw the attack, or the suspects or the woman making off, to come forward.”
There were other customers in the bookies at the time – if they have not yet come forward we would ask them to do so.
Anyone with information on the incident should call Greenwich CID on 020 8284 9430; if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Wednesday 12:30pm update: Police have arrested four people in connection with the case. Three – a 24-year-old man, a 28-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman – are being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder, while a 52-year-old woman is being questioned on conspiracy to attempt murder. Anyone with information is still asked to call the police.
Wednesday 2pm update: Charges have now been brought.
The Charlton Champion 