Posted on 01/29/2008 6:31:46 AM PST by yankeedame
By Lucy Cockcroft and John Steele
Last Updated: 8:43am GMT 29/01/2008
A father-of-three was murdered in front of his family as he tried to retrieve his son's football, it was claimed last night.
David Martin was said to have been hacked to death with a sword or machete after a row over a street football game turned violent.
His own father had died in similar circumstances more than 20 years ago, neighbours said, when he was beaten to death outside a pub while defending the young Mr Martin.
A 41 year-old woman has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent in connection with the incident. Four other people - including a 14-year-old girl and two women - were also arrested over the murder.
But last night the teenaged girl and two women, 41 and 69, were released on police bail pending further inquiries.
A 37-year-old man remains in custody.
Police had been called to the street in Mitcham, south west London, on Sunday night, after reports of a fight between a large group of people.
Neighbours claimed Mr Martin, a window cleaner believed to be 40, had run out of his house to defend his son, Jamie, who was being bullied by a group of other children.
A row erupted between Mr Martin, his wife Angie and other adults on the estate. One neighbour, whose children were not involved in the incident, allegedly threatened him with a bottle.
After a row the man was said to have run back into his home and emerged with a golf club and a weapon like a machete.
Mr Martin was allegedly hacked to death with the blade in front of his screaming children and wife.
Dave Ellen, who lives nearby, said: "Angie and the kids were all there as is happened. Dave and Angie were great people. They had two girls and one young boy. The boy, called Jamie, was picked on a bit by some of the other local kids. I think that's how the row started."
A girl who witnessed the attack said she saw the attacker run out with a golf club and a weapon that looked like a machete or a short Samurai sword.
"There was no reason why he should have been involved in the argument - it wasn't to do with his kids but he waded in and traded insults," she said.
"It was a horrific scene; there was blood all over everyone. All the kids could see, everybody here is in absolute shock. He just stabbed him. There were children around and a lot of screaming and crying. Dave and Angie's boy was always getting bullied and I think Dave was just sick of it and wanted to stand up for him."
Residents described Mr Martin and his young family as "wonderful, friendly and hard working" people.
One neighbour said Raymond Martin, the father of murdered Dave Martin, was killed in 1986 by yobs outside a local pub, while allegedly defending his son. Then, more recently, his brother committed suicide.
"Dave's dad was killed quite a few years ago when Dave was young. His brother was also found dead inside his car quite near here. I have no idea what that family must be going through, it's just awful," the neighbour said.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said detectives were keeping an open mind about the attack in Rutter Gardens, Mitcham.
A post mortem examination was under way last night and Scotland Yard declined to comment on the cause of death until it was completed.
"Estate" in Brit speak = "Housing project" in U.S.
At least he was not killed by a gun.
Muslims?........just asking.......
Celebrate diversity.
Not necessarily. Housing estates aren’t necessarily poor. This one sounds ‘a bit rough’ though, to say the least.
Uh-Oh, the person with the Machete is going to be charged with possessing a knife with a blade longer than 4”.
Where’s Waldo in this story?
Sounds like another example of decent people living among thugs. What do you want to bet the perp has a long record.
Oh yes coming to a multicultural and politically correct town near you where diversity is celebrated for the murderers, rapists, homosexuals and filth breeders of all kinds.
“A Metropolitan Police spokesman said detectives were keeping an open mind about the attack in Rutter Gardens, Mitcham.”
That’s Brit-speak for: “We are desperately trying to find a way to let the murderers go free and posthumously charge and convict the victim for the vile crime of defending his family”.
And yet the liberals want to move that sort of element into the decent neighborhoods.
And when that happens, it’s not just the neighborhoods that go down the toilet. The schools do too.
Insanity.
Count on it. South west London has a large muslim population. There have been at least two "honor killings" in the area in the last two years, (a stoning to death and a butchering). Also, though there have been several arrests of adults in this case the media refuse to give their names. Celebrate diversity my friend.
Reminds me of that scene in Forest Gump. Lt. Dan was relating that all his fathers and grandfathers died in wars and of course they flashback to men dying in the Revolutionary, Civil, WWI etc. This kid now has a tradition and knows his time...20 years hence.
Very good post!!
Not possible. Those knives are not legal to own.
I find this is important in life. Always keep an open mind about the hacking to death of a person in front of their family. I mean who are we to say?
This is not a “housing project” in the American sense of the word, it is not a high rise apartment slum, it is a small “between the wars” housing development of semi-detached homes (duplexes)
The area is not particularly prosperous but it is not badly run down either, it is close to a large park and the general area typical of surburban South London.
Maybe, he didn't"CELEBRATE" diversity.
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