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Girl sees gang beat up her grandfather
Felix Allen07.09.09
The family of a Muslim pensioner left for dead in an attack outside a mosque told today how his three-year-old granddaughter had been left deeply disturbed after seeing the assault.
Retired care worker Ekram Haque, 67, is on on life support after suffering serious head injuries when he was set upon by up to 20 teenagers as he left a south London mosque last Monday.
Marian Haque, who had been standing with him, ran screaming back into the Idara-e-Jaaferiya Islamic centre in Church Lane, Tooting, as her grand-father was beaten unconscious.
Today her father Arfan, Mr Haque's son, said Marian had been left "very shaken and disturbed".
The legal adviser said: "Obviously I am very concerned for my daughter, who has given a very vivid account of what happened."
Relatives are at Mr Haque's bedside in an intensive care unit. Doctors have warned he has no chance of recovery.
Arfan Haque described the attack as "mindless violence" but urged others to stay calm despite fears the attack was racially motivated.
The victim, a devout Muslim born in Calcutta, used to work in a local care home for disabled adults.
His son said: "My father loved living in Britain and considered himself a Londoner. I just want justice."
Minutes before Mr Haque was ambushed, two other worshippers - a 39-year-old and a man in his seventies - were also beaten by the gang.
Anyone with information is urged to call police on 020 8721 4205.
A boy of 14 was due to appear at Sutton youth court today in connection with the assault on Mr Haque.
He faces charges involving grievous bodily harm and assault.
Three other boys appeared in court on similar charges over the weekend and were remanded.
