Witness appeal following late night Highbury mugging

The victim of a violent mugging in Highbury on Sunday has spoken of his terrifying ordeal.

The 54-year-old victim, who did not want to be named, was walking through Highbury Fields, near to Christ Church, at 11pm when he was attacked by a group of about five hooded thugs who stole his gym bag and wallet with �60 inside.

The man, who was on his way to Finsbury Park tube station, was left with extensive bruising to his back as well as a black eye and gash to his face requiring several stitches.

Conscious of not wanting to walk through the park alone, he said that he looked up the path and saw a couple followed by another group, so thought it would be safe.

He said: “I had almost got to the end of the path and the group in front of me decided to stop. When I got closer to them they dispersed.

“I could still see three of them. One of them walked straight up to my face and said ‘give me your wallet’, I side-stepped him but behind him there was another assailant who then punched me in the face. I fell to the floor and was kicked a few times. The thought that they might have knives popped into my mind.”

The victim, who lives in Oakwood but visits Islington every week, managed to get to the nearby police station and called for help on the phone outside and was taken to hospital.

He added: “You can’t let it change your life but I think I’ve got to get a bit more streetwise. It is a nice way to walk, but looking back in retrospect, I begin to think that I shouldn’t have really have gone down there alone and should have gone to the main street instead.”

Investigating, Det Con Jan Dolan, said: “A number of people were in the park at the time of the incident and may have witnessed the robbery or noticed the suspects beforehand.

“This was an unprovoked and vicious attack and I appeal to anyone with information to contact police in confidence.”

Call Islington CID on 020 7421 0366 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with any information.