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Carjacking victim says thugs will rob again
Benedict Moore-Bridger6 Nov 2008
A BUSINESSWOMAN attacked by a gang who threatened to kill her while stealing £10,000 worth of jewellery, said today that she feared there would be more robberies.
Lorretta Paterson, 50, suffered a deep gash to her head as she was robbed in her BMW X-5 car by three thugs in north London.
The gang smashed her head on the car door and ripped the jewellery from her. They then threatened to kill her if she did not help them start the engine.
Ms Paterson managed to escape before they drove off but did not have time to save her dog Minnie from the car. She said: "I just remember blood pouring over me. I couldn't see anything. I was really dizzy.
"They were really heavy-handed. One was pulling me one way, wrenching jewellery off me, and another was pulling me the other. Then he said to me 'Start the f***ing car, you b**ch, or I will f***ing kill you'. I don't know whether they were going to kidnap me."
Ms Paterson, who runs a gift shop in Temple Fortune, was attacked after leaving a beauty salon in Finchley Road. She was taken to Hampstead's Royal Free Hospital, where she received 10 stitches to her head. Her wrecked car was found the next day - and Minnie was returned to her after being abandoned by the thugs.
Ms Paterson said: "I do feel in Temple Fortune there are a lot of wealthy women who have nice cars and jewellery, and I think we are going to be targeted. We need CCTV, better lighting and as much police presence as possible."
Reader views (10)
Jimbob: somebody who drives a £50,000+ car?
It doesn't matter how much money she was flaunting, that doesn't make it right to smash her head in and steal it.
- Billybob, Hoxton, 07/11/2008 12:03
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Don't believe everthing you read jimbo, 10k could just be the figure they put in the paper, don't be negative and criticle, she has every right to wear whatever she likes, I'm sure she knows the risk but that doesn't mean you need to ram it down her throat at such a delicate time. Hope you never become a victim so you don't have to get criticised by heartless people, fast to complain and moan but very slow to run and help.
- Fara, Harrow, 07/11/2008 11:21
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Nu Labor style of society: police is gone. Victim gets prosecuted for causing a fuss and perpretator walks free because they were poor and did not know better...
- Georgie, Islington, London, 06/11/2008 23:42
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Is there any more description on the three pathetic thugs? that beat this poor defenceless woman. The damage done to her and her little dog will live with her forever. Lets hope that the police will provide CCTV cameras needed and protection as soon as possible, before we read of another incident.. next time it could be murder!
- Elaine Freeman, Torquay. Devon, 06/11/2008 22:34
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Who in their right mind goes out in London wearing £10k?
- Jimbob, Kensington, 06/11/2008 21:41
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Why can't we carry guns, then these low life visitors to our country would be sure of a very warm welcome?
- Kerry, Purley, 06/11/2008 18:23
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I know you will find this extreme, I work in the city and have a good job I now carry a concealed fire arm. A member of my family was the victim of a violent robbery, I wont be the victim if it happens to me.
- G, London, 06/11/2008 17:51
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The Brits and Aussies have given up personal protection in favor of letting the government handle crime. With your raise in crime, doesn't seem to be working too well. We have much the same problem, however, we are armed, many with carry permits and we at least feel better protected. At 83 I need all the help I can get.
- David White, Brunswick, Georgia USA, 06/11/2008 17:23
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Brandon, London
Any of us will know with any common sense what they probably look like, maybe.......not of UK origin?
- P I Staker, London, 06/11/2008 14:40
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Where is the description of these low life scum attackers? CCTV does nothing but spy on the law abiding public and hardly solves ANY crimes. Where is the description of these low life scum attackers?
- Brandon Thomas, London UK, 06/11/2008 13:19
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