Robbed - Hit over Head - But lucky!

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GemStone
Posts: 57
Joined: 12 Feb 2006 13:27
Location: Chulsa Road

Robbed - Hit over Head - But lucky!

Post by GemStone »

I feel very lucky to be alive!
Thursday evening on the way back from the Off Licence with my bottle of malt and fresh packet of cigs I was ambushed on the roundabout at the bottom of my road by 4 hoodies.
The main ring leader looked about 20 or so. He aspproached me asking for a light. When I faced him, someone from behind whacked me with some piece of metal over the back of my head. I fell to the ground and was immediately kicked several times. Some other guy went through my pockets while another was still kicking me. Another pulled my carrier bag from my hand. Luckily someone from one of the nearby flats had noticed and shouted at them and the gang fled.
I feel lucky to be alive. When I got home my wife called an ambulance.
I got home from hospital by noon on Friday. Naturally right now I'm battered and bruised. I feel frightened looking at myself in the mirror! I feel even more frightened of going outside in the evening again.
I want to move. But I don't know where :cry:
sydeman
Posts: 148
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 07:15
Location: Upper Sydenham

Post by sydeman »

Thats awlful! Sorry to hear about that. Where did the incident happen and around what time? Assume you informed the police?
MiniFox
Posts: 191
Joined: 8 Oct 2007 20:32
Location: Lawrie Park Road

Post by MiniFox »

Gemstone
That is just beyond words and totally shocking. I really hope that you are on the mend and are not in too much pain. What a total shock for you to be treated so brutally.
Where did this happen? I really hope the police get the b**t*rds that did this to you
Eagle
Posts: 10658
Joined: 7 Oct 2004 06:36
Location: F Hill

Post by Eagle »

Yes I to am very concerned for you . Regret could happen anyway but I know that is no consolation.
Where exactly did this happen ?
Unless on CCTV guess the Police will have a real problem but let us hope they give it top priority and they are put away for life.
Once again very best wishes
goonerchamp
Posts: 167
Joined: 28 Jun 2005 12:18
Location: Sydenham, Sydenham where the f**k is Sydenham

Post by goonerchamp »

Not trying to be clever but from my knowledge of the area - I would say that happened at the roundabout on Sydenham Avenue? - and the sad thing is the people that did it probably live in your estate - Chulsa Estate/Chulsa road

hope you ain't too badly damaged

C
boon
Posts: 120
Joined: 16 Mar 2008 12:46
Location: Sydenham

Post by boon »

That is concerning - can you give us any more information or updates? We're near-ish to Chulsa Road, and while it's normally been quiet and uneventful, I have seen the occasional group of young men wandering aimlessly and harassing passers-by.

I'm glad to hear that you're recovering, and hope you informed the police!
Eagle
Posts: 10658
Joined: 7 Oct 2004 06:36
Location: F Hill

Post by Eagle »

What is strange is that if you have seen goups harassing people why have not the police done anything.
This is especially worrying as they appear to have wanted to hurt as much as possible although there would be no more financial gain. These people need to be locked up quickly
Suzee
Posts: 196
Joined: 7 Jul 2006 12:42
Location: Sydenham

Post by Suzee »

So sorry to hear of your awful experience GemStone - hope you are feeling better and that the Police are able to find who did this.

We came home this afternoon to find our upstairs neighbour's frontdoor boarded-up. It turns out that at about 3pm this afternoon a man smashed the window and tried to kick the door in with my neighbour in the flat. Luckily they screamed out and the man ran off. We were quite shocked as we live on a very busy main road in Sydenham with regular traffic and passers-by - trying this in broad-daylight is very brave/desperate indeed... And rather unnerving....
Eagle
Posts: 10658
Joined: 7 Oct 2004 06:36
Location: F Hill

Post by Eagle »

Suzee
I am not sure brave is the correct word
mosy
Posts: 4111
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 20:28
Location: London

Post by mosy »

It's awful when you get mugged and it does take a while to come to terms with it. A good plan is to think that it could have been worse. (I have and my son has three times no less.)

Someone suggested that I apply to CICA (the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board) and it is worth doing that. www.cica.gov.uk
It's not like insurance - they don't cover monetary loss - it's a possible "damages" payment for the disruption it's caused to your life. That does drag out the remembering process, given our brains prefer to put these things behind us, though it can help to focus in a businesslike way which helps dispel the shock element.

Longer term, you have to put it behind you and go about your business as you would have before. We both have - with some fortitude. They (or is it the police?) offer a counselling service (a different URL link) if the incident is sitting heavily with you.

The mind is a wonderful thing for blanking memories out, but it does take a little while, so lots of hugs in the meantime.
GLOBAL THINKER
Posts: 177
Joined: 2 Nov 2004 13:20
Location: SYDENHAM

Post by GLOBAL THINKER »

Gemstone,

You should be receiving a package from Victim Support soon, which has a lot of useful information in it.

GT
Disko
Posts: 5
Joined: 17 Oct 2006 12:58
Location: London

Something is fishy

Post by Disko »

The tone of Gemstone's account seems a bit contrived to me. Why hasn't he replied to anyone yet? I reckon this never happened.
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 2575
Joined: 20 Sep 2004 21:49

Post by admin »

A rule of Forums is its unwise to believe or not believe everything you read. Only Gemstone can vouch for it. If it did happen it could be a little cruel to be doubting. On the other hand to dish the residents of an estate on this one report is also a bit dodgy.

So I don't think speculation here is very helpful.

Admin
poppy
Posts: 574
Joined: 1 Sep 2007 20:03
Location: Sydenham

robbed

Post by poppy »

Maybe Gemstone doesn't feel too good at the moment considering what has happened and getting back online is not a priority.

I know a couple of people who have been violently mugged (not around here I might add) who have been really traumatised by it, but the effects took a while to emerge.
mosy
Posts: 4111
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 20:28
Location: London

Post by mosy »

When it happened to my son the first time, he received injury and even though not really serious injury I was completely fazed by it - so shocked and scared for him for the future. I posted something on a forum (before I joined this one) and was extremely grateful for the both kind and knowledgeable words offered by those members.

I hope the OP is getting to grips with it and I've no doubt others in a similar position who might read this will be happy to know that people care and can possibly help them, as others did me, and as peeps on here are trying to do. When it happened to me, I knew I was in danger of becoming very insular (not wanting to go out) and talking to peeps on the internet about anything (not my exerience) helped keep me grounded and remembering how many good peeps are out on the streets as well.
Eagle
Posts: 10658
Joined: 7 Oct 2004 06:36
Location: F Hill

Post by Eagle »

I agree sounds very nasty experience. Not nice to suggest it was made up.
GemStone
Posts: 57
Joined: 12 Feb 2006 13:27
Location: Chulsa Road

Post by GemStone »

Hello once again,

Firstly I offer my sincere thanks for all your kind messages and PMs too. I'm very touched by many of you.
My broadband package was in the process of being switched from Tiscali to Sky. I obtained the MAC from Tiscali, but Sky were very slow to respond. Meanwhile I'd been cut off from Tiscali with no internet.
Now this evening almost 2 weeks later, I've got my Sky.
My wife had been to the library, she looked on the forum and noticed all your messages, but she felt it would be wrong to comment herself as she would rather wait for me to respond.
Sorry for keeping you all in suspense!
The incident took place as I walked home at the end of Border Road towards the roundabout of Sydenham Avenue/Chulsa Road.
Yes the Ambulance staff informed the police. Shortly after I was seen by the Nurse, the police took a brief statement and I was informed CID would deal with it.
DS Evans of Bromley CID dealt with my case. He called over to my house and took a more detailed statement. I can say the police were very professional and seemed confident they may know who 2 of the 4 muggers could be.
I later received a Victims of Crime leaflet and a reference number. DS Evans also gave me his personal mobile number which I thought was good of him.
I kind of felt scared at first that the muggers may bump into me again as the incident took place so close to home, they may get to know where I live etc, but perhaps I was being a bit too paranoid.
I've still got some bruises showing, though most of the pain and discomfort has gone. Perhaps if I was younger (I am 56) I would have healed up by now.
I have been off work for 2 weeks sick, but intend to return this coming Monday. My boss has been very understanding. But then I've only had 2 days off sick in 16 years.

As for making this up ?!?!?!?
Why would anyone do such a horrid thing. Everyone tells lies from time to time, but not to such a scale. That is simply weird to make something like this up.
But if Disko still does not believe me - I don't care anyway.

Jim
Eagle
Posts: 10658
Joined: 7 Oct 2004 06:36
Location: F Hill

Post by Eagle »

Hello Gemstone
Good to have you back and pleased the Police reaction positive.

It must be difficult after such an incident and again I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery and of course I hope the police catch and put away the criminals who carried out this terrible attack.
Savvy
Posts: 630
Joined: 16 Jan 2005 18:20
Location: SE26

Post by Savvy »

Welcome back. I hope that in time you will get full confidence back and be able to walk the streets without fear, it will take some time but do try to get out a little each day and extend the time and distance, if those thugs stop you from doing that then they've won and you'll be a victim twice - once regarding the actual crime and again by restricting your movements. Very Best Wishes to you and yours.
Ronski
Posts: 437
Joined: 6 Jan 2006 01:19
Location: SE26

Post by Ronski »

Wish you a speedy recovery GemStone
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