Gang attack after firework display

A SIDCUP teenager suffered a chilling half-hour ordeal at the hands of attackers he knew.

Murray Woodall, a 14-year-old from Longmead Drive, Sidcup, left the fireworks display in King George's Field on Saturday, November 3, with two friends.

The group was walking along Station Road when the sister of one of his friends told them there was a gang of nine youths further on who attacked another group and stole their mobile phones.

Murray and his two friends, carried on regardless and were confronted by the group of nine black teenagers, aged between 15 and 19 years old.

Murray said: "They stopped us and started asking us to empty our pockets and give them our stuff.

"One of them patted his coat and said 'I've got a knife in here, don't make me use it'."

Two of the boys handed over their wallets and phones but Murray refused.

When he attempted to run away, he was caught by two of the gang and punched repeatedly in the face.

Murray reckons he knew some of the gang. He said: "I went to a summer camp with one of the boys last year in Foots Cray Meadows."

The gang made off with his wallet and mobile phone, leaving Murray with a badly bleeding nose.

A police spokesman said: "It was obviously an unfortunate incident and we are trying to find the people who did it.

"The boys were attacked and we think their attackers had been at the fireworks display themselves. If anyone knows anything, or may have seen the incident they can call us and help with our inquiries."

If you know about the incident or who might have done it call Sergeant Peter Cudd at Bexleyheath police on 020 8284 9142 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

November 13, 2001 13:11