Passer-by caught up in Bishopsgate phone robbery needed 52 STITCHES after being slashed in the face
Passer-by caught up in violent Bishopsgate phone robbery needed 52 STITCHES after being slashed in the face with a knife
- Two men on bikes tried to snatch a mobile phone outside a City office last week
- But members of the public stepped in to help and the frantic pair lashed out
- One robber stabbed some people before passing the knife to Louis Parkinson
- He is accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Henry Charlton-Weedy
A passer-by caught up in the violent phone robbery at Bishopsgate last week needed 52 stitches after being slashed in the face with a knife, a court has been told.
The gang of two men on pushbikes tried to snatch a mobile phone outside a City office during the morning rush hour last Thursday.
But members of the public stepped in to help and the frantic pair lashed out.
One robber stabbed some people before passing the knife to Louis Parkinson, 25, who slashed another man in the face, Westminster magistrates were told.
Parkinson is accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Henry Charlton-Weedy outside the 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper just before 9.45am on October 6.
He is also accused of conspiring to rob Nicholas Badger and Paul Grange alongside an associate, who remains on the loose.
He has also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possessing cannabis, the latter of which was found on him when police raided his address yesterday.
Ambulance crews treated three people who were injured in the botched robbery attempt last Thursday
Passers-by attempted to stop the two suspects (highlighted) during the incident in Bishopsgate last Thursday morning
The court heard Parkinson tried to snatch a phone off a passer-by who cried out for help and other people rushed to try and pull the pair to the floor.
Parkinson’s associate then slashed passers-by before handing the knife to Parkinson, who stabbed the victim.
The stabbing victims were taken to hospital but none of them are believed to be in a life-threatening condition.
Appearing in the dock of Westminster Magistrates Court today wearing a grey prison uniform, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address in Islington, north London.
He showed little emotion and was supported by family in the public gallery during the brief ten minute hearing.
Aarya Mishra, prosecuting, said: ‘The defendant and another man were together cycling through London on a pedal cycle.
Three people were treated for stab wounds but none suffered life-threatening injuries as a result of the incident, which sparked a mass emergency response just yards away from Liverpool Street Station last Thursday morning
Blood was seen on the pavement on Bishopsgate after a vicious attack on the streets of London last Thursday
‘They were together, trying to snatch phones from various victims’ hands. This led to what has been described as an incredibly violent series of events.
‘The defendant tried to snatch a phone from a member of the public who cries out to other members of the public to try and detain the defendant and his associate.
‘His associate produced a knife and slashed various members of the public.
‘He then handed that to the defendant who slashed a member of the public’s face so gravely that he required 52 stiches.’
His lawyer Kishoree Kotecha-Pau made no bail application and spoke only to remind the court he was arrested at his home rather than at the scene.
Magistrates remanded into custody and he will next appear at Inner London Crown Court on 8 November.
