ONE OF THE most brutal attacks in East London last year was carried out in East Ham in August. Three men attacked Ahmet Dobran, as he was peacefully going about his everyday life.
One of the men grabbed Mr Dobran by the neck so hard that he broke his vertebrae in three places. While this man held Mr Dobran, the others punched his back and arms – and then they all forced him to the ground, where they robbed him of a bracelet and wristwatch.
That would have been a brutal enough attack in anyone’s books. But it was made all the worse because Mr Dobran was 82 years old. He had Parkinson’s disease and was being treated for cancer.
Mr Dobran did not make a recovery from the attack. He was taken to hospital, but he did not leave medical care to return home. He died on 15th January. The exact cause of death has not yet been established, but although his attackers may not, technically, have killed him, they certainly robbed him of his life in any meaningful sense.
The force, the violence the attackers used shows that they were not only out to rob, but also out to inflict maximum pain on someone who could not fight back. Two of the three thugs who did this are still out there somewhere on our streets today.
One man has been found and has been charged in connection with the attack on Mr Dobran. He does not seem to have helped police identify the other two men who were involved in the attack. If they can attack so violently once, they can do so again.
Police are continuing to try to hunt down the other two suspects. Images from CCTV were released last year. Mr Dobran’s family, who were devastated by his death and the manner of it, are hoping that justice will be done.
The charity Crimestoppers has now promised a reward of £10,000 for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for the robbery. The information must be given before 6th May.
•To claim the reward, Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.
•Read the full story: Young thugs in vicious attack on frail elder Newham robbery victim, 82, has died
•Read more about it: Canning Town stab victim named £10k reward offered to find Newham attacker
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