Two stabbed in South Wimbledon pub brawl (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Two stabbed in South Wimbledon pub brawl

9:44am Monday 11th January 2010 in News By Craig Burnett

A man was stabbed seven times in a pub brawl in Wimbledon this weekend.

Another victim was stabbed three times, while a third suffered head injuries, in the fight at the Grove Tavern in Kingston Road early on Sunday morning.

The men are thought to have been attacked by a group of six to eight youths at about 12.30am.

Police said two victims, both Polish men in their early 20s, were involved in a confrontation with the group shortly before the assaults.

Police said one of the youths headbutted one of the victims, who then threw a punch in self defence, before the rest of the group attacked the second Polish man with chairs and bottles before fleeing from the pub.

One of the victims suffered seven stab wounds to his back, a punctured lung and head injuries, while the other suffered cuts to the face and head injuries.

Both were taken to hospital, and on Monday morning the first victim was in a stable condition while the second had been treated and discharged.

A 53-year-old apparently caught up in the brawl was also stabbed three times in the back and once in the leg. He suffered a suspected punctured lung and on Monday was in hospital in a stable condition.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Wanless, of Wimbledon CID, said: "There were 30 to 40 people in the pub at the time of the incident. We have spoken to some but there may be others who left before police arrival, yet may be able to assist the investigation, and we ask them to get in touch.

"The pub is opposite South Wimbledon tube station, on a busy main road, and those leaving the tube station may have seen several youths or young men outside the pub as they made off after the fight. If so we ask you to come forward."

Police said one man they are looking for is white, about 20-years-old, tall and was seen wearing a black jacket.

At 6am on Sunday a man surrendered himself to the police and was arrested on suspicion of assault. He remained in custody on Monday morning.

Anyone with information should call the police on 0300 123 1212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.