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A pensioner is fighting for his life after being attacked by a gang as he stood with a five-year-old relative outside a London mosque.
The 67-year-old had just emerged from prayers at the mosque in Tooting when he was attacked from behind. He suffered a head injury and fell unconscious to the ground.
The retired father of one, who had worked in a local home for the disabled, is in a critical condition in hospital with his family at his bedside.
Police say he is a well respected local man who had been standing outside the mosque “watching the world” go by when he was attacked.
Police are questioning four boys in connection with the investigation. One is aged 12, two others are 14 and the fourth is 15.
Detectives are investigating possible links to at least two other attacks just minutes before in the same area.
All three victims are Asian, but police say they are keeping an open mind about the motive.
The five-year-old girl with the pensioner was unhurt after Monday night's attack.
Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane, said: “This is a sickening attack on an innocent man, and we believe that the attackers also assaulted a man in his 70s and a man in his 40s. We urge people who may have been attacked, or know who these youths are, to come forward.”
Mr McFarlane added: “There was no attempt to steal anything in the attack. The motive could simply be violence for the sake of it.”
The youths are described as black and in their mid-teens.
It is believed they were part of a larger group, which included girls and white youths.
Police asked for anyone with information to contact officers on 0208 721 4205 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
