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DEPTFORD: Brave stab victim was 'protecting youngsters from armed gang'
4:50pm Friday 30th October 2009
A BRAVE youth worker is fighting for his life after being stabbed when apparently protecting a group of youngsters from an armed gang.
Police were called to The Albany Theatre in Douglas Way, Deptford at around 6.45pm on Wednesday after reports a large group of youths had caused a disturbance.
When officers arrived the group had dispersed, but at 9.15pm they were called to the area again and found 41-year-old Simon Somerville and a 16-year-old boy suffering from stab wounds.
Mr Somerville, who lives in Walthamstow was stabbed several times and his condition is currently described as life-threatening.
Meanwhile the teenager, who was stabbed in the lower body, has been released from hospital.
News Shopper spoke to Mr Somerville's brother-in-law Eddie Hypolite, 40, who said: "The two of us had been helping run a three-day youth programme at the theatre and Wednesday was the final day.
"Before the seminar, which looks at the negative side of street and gang culture, there was trouble outside the theatre. A group of youngsters were firing fireworks at people.
"After the seminar had finished they were out there again. Simon was helping the kids from his youth group back to the van when they were attacked by the group.
"Simon put himself between his youths and the gang to defuse the situation even though they were armed with knives. They completely brutalised him."
Mr Hypolite, who is a pastor for the Seventh Day Adventist Church group added: "On the night of the attack the doctors said there was a not a lot of hope for him, but now they say there has been a remarkable improvement.
"We all believe in him and we are praying for him. He is strong and keeps himself in good condition."
A nearby resident, who lives in a flat overlooking Douglas Way, said: "There were 15 or 20 youngsters and I could hear lots of screaming and shouting.
"Then a little black boy ran down the street shouting 'I've duked him, I've duked him.'
"Just before lots of them had been letting off fireworks and shouting.”
A 16-year old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is in custody at a south London police station.
Anyone with information should call Lewisham police on 0300 123 1212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Your Say YourLondon
spirals100, lewisham says...
8:03pm Thu 29 Oct 09
porkpie, SE London says...
8:51pm Thu 29 Oct 09
So if he is charged & convicted, he will do 3 months of platstation training.
The sad thing is that these kids think they run Deptford.
Have your say, Clapham says...
5:20pm Fri 30 Oct 09
5 years mandatory sentence for knife possession irrespective of the age.
Then consecutive sentence for any offence it is used in not concurrent.
The shops selling all these lock knives, flick knives etc should be banned, who has a legal right to carry a knife down a High Street? what use are they? BAN THE SHOPS SELLING THESE RUTHLESS KNIVES.
Get well soon Simon, obviously a decent man doing a decent job, stabbed by a ruthless disrespectful person who will no doubt get more help than he deserves if charged. Mark my words they will not change this youth and in years to come he will murder someone!!!
kathyddddd, woodford says...
10:56pm Fri 30 Oct 09
I'm Keeping you in my prayers Simon, Kathy Hutton
shergars ghost, Sidcup says...
8:48pm Sat 31 Oct 09
Throw in a few Councillors to indeed, perform there 'civic duties', to see at first hand the ills in the Local Society, then perhaps more people like Simon would be protected from these unchecked feral gangs.
smeg1410, Welling says...
9:48am Mon 2 Nov 09
Officers were called to Douglas Way in Deptford at around 6.45pm on Oct 28
The street has been sealed off by police
Simon Somerville's brother-in-law Pastor Eddie Hypolite (right)
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apwry, says...
7:00pm Thu 29 Oct 09
VERTY,CRIME,DRUGS