A FORMER boxer who was stabbed 14 times outside a Deptford theatre says he is "winning the fight of his life".

Youth worker Simon Somerville was attacked by a gang of 30 youths as he tried to escort seven youngsters away from an anti-crime event which had finished at The Albany in Douglas Way.

The 42-year-old suffered a stab wound to the heart, a punctured lung, a damaged liver and complete kidney failure during the attack on October 28 last year.

Speaking from his home in Walthamstow, he told News Shopper: "I lost 95 per cent of my blood, died twice in hospital, and the doctors told my family I would probably be dead by the next morning.

News Shopper: Officers were called to Douglas Way in Deptford at around 6.45pm on Oct 28

"I made a miraculous recovery but even then I was told I would be in hospital until March.

"But I came out of hospital in November and I have now got to the point where I can leave the house for short periods. But I am winning the fight of my life."

Mr Somerville, a former professional boxer who regularly fought in London and New York, says he first noticed trouble when a group of youths began letting off fireworks near the theatre.

He said: "They were firing fireworks at my group and then I saw one of the gang pull a knife out on one of my youngsters.

"I put myself between the two of them and tried to put a halt to it all by talking in a commanding voice, but I got stabbed, fell to the ground, and was attacked several times."

"After that I can't really remember much else."

He added: "I don't feel any animosity because I know there's a lot of aspects of negativity in society, and these youngsters just need people to work with them."

But the father-of-four has suffered some long-term effects. He is nervous around people and suffers constant chest and back pain.

News Shopper: Mr Somerville was stabbed 14 times

He said: "I get flash backs and have a nervous disposition. The trauma of it all is still having an effect on me but I hope by the end of the year I will have made my mark and really progressed."

Mr Somerville, who was with his 15-year-old son at the time of the attack, also says he is angry it took police so long to reach the scene.

"The security guards tell me they phoned the police three times before the incident to say there was a mob outside", he said.

"All it would have taken is some sort of police presence to disperse the group - but they didn't arrive."

Lewisham police investigating officer Superintendent Lisa Crook has responded by saying: “It is a great relief to everyone that Mr Somerville is recovering, and my thoughts go to him and his family.

"This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on a member of the community who is committed to making the world a better place."

She added: “Lewisham police officers were initially called earlier that evening by the staff at the Albany Theatre to a group of unruly youths and local officers did attend.

"The group was dispersed at about 19:15hours, however the officers remained nearby throughout the evening.

“Further officers attended when the attack happened, and their quick thinking at the scene contributed to the fantastic work all our emergency services did that night in saving Mr Somerville's life.”

One 16-year-old boy was arrested on the day of the attack on suspicion of attempted murder, and has been bailed to attend a south London police station.

Three 17-year-old boys and another 16-year-old boy were arrested a month later on suspicion of affray and GBH. They have also been bailed to appear at a later date.

Mr Somerville says he wants to write a book about helping young people, but needs a ghost writer. Call 020 8223 1133 for more information.