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Hero stabbed as he saved children from knife mob
Peter Dominiczak and Justin Davenport30.10.09
A youth worker is fighting for life after he was stabbed while protecting a group of children from a gang.
The 43-year-old father of four, named by friends as Simon Somerville, was attacked outside a Christian anti-crime event at the Albany Theatre in Deptford.
Today his brother-in-law, Pastor Eddie Hypolite, told the Standard that Mr Somerville was "a hero" who had shielded the children from a violent gang. The church-going former amateur boxing champion was stabbed several times in the stomach and chest and police are investigating the possibility that more than one of the attackers was armed with a knife.
Pastor Hypolite said that Mr Somerville was in a "critical" condition in hospital but "making a remarkable recovery".
Witnesses described a "running battle" on the street outside the theatre. A 16-year-old also suffered stab wounds but was not seriously hurt and has left hospital.
Pastor Hypolite said: "Simon stood between the gang members and his kids. He was protecting them. He was trying to be the peacemaker and one of the gang members just went at him with a knife. The children told us that if Simon had not stepped in, they could have been killed. Simon is a hero."
It is believed the violence erupted after security at the theatre had earlier refused entry to five youths.
Later, a gang of about 30 returned to the venue and attacked Mr Somerville and a group of children as they left at about 9.15pm on Wednesday.
Pastor Hypolite, 45, who belongs to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, said Mr Somerville was taken into a café and given first aid after he was stabbed.
He said: "It was horrifying scene. He was in a lot of pain and was losing a lot of blood. Thankfully there were a number of people who knew first aid. They saved his life."
A local shopkeeper, who asked not to be named, said: "It was a running battle. Around 30 youths were fighting very violently and chasing each other."
Scotland Yard said a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is in custody.
