Machete victim’s son ‘saw attack’

Scaffolder David Stevenson, 28, was drinking with his girlfriend at the New Inn in Sutton when two men attacked him.

He died in hospital despite emergency surgery. His seven-year-old son is said to have seen the killing on Sunday evening.

Witnesses said the scaffolder was dragged into a beer garden at the back of the Myrtle Road pub where he was slashed with machetes.

One woman said the victim's seven-year-old son Luke saw the attack. Mr Stevenson's father Roger and girlfriend were also there.

Mr Stevenson had been drinking with friends after watching Chelsea play Manchester United in the Community Shield.

Three men were being held over the murder. Police said the men aged 20, 24 and 56 were being questioned about the killing. The 24 and 56-year-olds are believed to be father and son.

The victim's father, retired firefighter Roger Stevenson, 54, described his son as a "loveable rogue".

Mr Stevenson told the Sutton Guardian: "He was loved by lots of people. He was a very popular man, he was everybody's friend. He was always laughing."

His twin brother Ricky Stevenson, 28, told the paper: "Obviously I will miss him, he's a part of me. He's gone and he isn't going to come back. None of this seems real at the moment."

A 30-year-old woman, whose boyfriend was a friend of the dead man, said a fight "got out of hand".

She said: "From what I know, he was a nice guy - a bit of a joker. My partner is devastated, everybody around here is really."

Police and paramedics raced to the pub as horrified drinkers fled when the violence exploded at about 7.20 on Sunday night.

Mr Stevenson was taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance where he underwent emergency surgery but he died an hour later.

One line of inquiry is that the attack was over a new relationship Mr Stevenson had begun.

Floral tributes were laid close to an alleyway that runs off Lind Road at the rear of the pub, which was cordoned off by police.

One read: "RIP Waffy. My thoughts are with you and all who knew you." Another said: "So, so sad. Rest in peace, God bless."

A full pint of cider was also left among the tributes.

A woman neighbour who returned home shortly after the incident said: "I saw a female crying in the street.

"She was on her mobile phone, saying: 'I can't believe he wants me dead."'

Another neighbour, a mother of two, said she heard shouting from the pub on Sunday night.

She added: "We thought it was to do with the football match being shown there, but then it got louder and we realised something else was going on.

"We just stayed inside and kept away from the windows because we have two young children, and didn't know what was happening."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The parties are thought to be known to each other.

"I believe there was some internal feud or disagreement, but we are yet to speak to some witnesses."

The spokesman added that the men were being questioned at separate south London police stations by murder squad detectives.

A post mortem examination was taking place at St Helier Hospital yesterday. Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.