Matalan store manager stabbed to death by gang who struck while he cashed up

A store manager was stabbed to death by a gang of robbers as he cashed up for the day.

Jamie Simpson, 33, had closed the Matalan outlet to customers an hour earlier but it is thought the three youths had hidden in the shop.

Police are still trying to piece together what happened because no other staff members saw the attack on Saturday evening.

It is understood Mr Simpson was stabbed as he tried to stop the thugs taking the money.

The killers are believed to have fled empty-handed as he collapsed in a pool of blood.

Shocked colleagues called an ambulance but he was pronounced dead at the scene half an hour later.

Mr Simpson had worked at the store, in a shopping precinct in Hackney, East London, for three years. He was single and lived in Herne Hill, South London.

Police were last night combing through footage from the shop's CCTV cameras.

Horrified colleagues gatherered at the store to pay tribute to assistant manager Mr Simpson.

One said: "He was a stunning guy, a brilliant man and a wonderful manager. He was a pleasure to work with.

"I can't believe what has happened. It is totally shocking.

"The people who did this must have been hiding in the store. It has two floors and there are plenty of places you could stay hidden. I am so shocked I am shaking like a leaf."

Another colleague said: "It could have been me or any of us. It's horrible to think about. Jamie was a great guy. I don't know if I want to go back and work there."

Detective Inspector Lawrence Smith said: "We believe that the three individuals involved lay in wait at the store and then confronted the assistant manager.

"The description that we have of them is of three young black males. We do have CCTV which is being looked at today."

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He was particularly keen to speak to anyone who had seen suspicious individuals hanging round the back of the store before closing time which was 7pm.

The three attackers are believed to have run from the store via the rear car park in Dalston Lane.

Staff found Mr Simpson shortly after the attack and called emergency services, but he was pronounced dead just after 8.30pm.

Police said Mr Simpson has yet to be formally identified but his next of kin had been informed. He had worked as an assistant manager at the store for the past three years.

A post-mortem examination was due to take place today.

Police have not arrested anyone in connection with the attack.

Detective Inspector Jackie Sebire said: "Mr Simpson was completing his day's work when he was fatally assaulted during a suspected robbery at his store.

"We are appealing for anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the shopping centre around closing time (7pm) or witnessed the assailants making off from the store via the rear car park.

"Mr Simpson was known as a reliable, hard working and a diligent member of staff who would always be available to assist his colleagues and customers."

Witnesses or anyone with information that could help police are asked to call the incident room on 020 8 345 1585 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.