Man carrying meat cleaver chased into store and beaten up
A man carrying a meat cleaver was chased into a supermarket and badly beaten as horrified staff and customers looked on.
The man suffered a broken nose and other cuts and bruises when he was chased into the Nisa shop in Leicester's West End by at least six other men.
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Police are appealing for information
Shop staff and customers at a nearby pub reported the man was carrying a meat cleaver.
It is understood the men who attacked him were not armed.
Witnesses said some of the men were covered in blood.
Nisa manager Kirsty McNeill said: "We were aware there was some kind of disturbance outside the shop because we heard shouting and saw someone pick up some of our signs as if they were going to throw them.
"Then a man with a meat cleaver ran into the shop with about six other lads chasing him.
"I don't know if he came in here because he thought he'd be safe but they followed him to the corner of the shop and gave him a really bad kicking.
"There were two girls in here at the time as well as me and another staff member. It took us all back quite a bit and we kept the girls with us while it was going on.
"We closed the shop and me and the other member of staff cleaned up – there was a lot of blood."
The attack was also witnessed by drinkers at the neighbouring Western pub.
One customer said: "We couldn't believe what we were seeing – there was a man carrying a meat cleaver being chased by a group of men.
"We didn't see what happened inside the shop but at least a couple of the men were covered in blood.
"This is a good area but there have been a couple of things in the past year, muggings and other things, which have made me wonder what's going on."
Police have arrested two men including, it is understood, the injured man.
They have been released on bail while officers continue their investigation into Friday night's incident.
The others are being sought by police. Officers are also studying CCTV footage.
Members of the public reported a disturbance in nearby Roman Street, off Narborough Road, at 10pm. By the time officers arrived, the violence had switched a short distance along Western Road to the Nisa store.
A police spokeswoman said: "We believe six to seven men were involved in the assault on a man inside the shop. Two people have been arrested and released on bail."
4 Comments
by Ellie, Nisa
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 11:43AM
“As one of the THREE girls who was in the shop I would like to get a few things straight.
This was NOT the responsibility of students, and how dare you claim it was or could be when you weren't there. The story makes no reference to students or even of age. It's discrimination such as yours that makes Leicester a bad place to live, not students.
Secondly, This story has been made from both my and my friend's police statements, and then put down under Kirsty's name.
We THREE girls ran into the shop after the men to try and look out for our friend, Kirsty, who we knew was working. Luckily, she was in the back cashing up out of harms way, and unaware until she heard shouting in the store.
Most importantly Kirsty did not "keep the girls with [her]" if we had been customers she'd have got us out of the shop away from danger, and even made a valiant attempt at it with us.
My friend, who used to work for Nisa, stayed after to help clean up.
This article has been incorrectly told, and I am furious, as are my friends, including Kirsty. We are all intending to make complaints.”
by vince, leicester
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:43PM
“ignorance,braunstone is not a bad area generally its bad people spoiling the areas,more like bad education...ie where is actually wrong it is were”
by John, Leicester
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 12:40PM
“@Nick you are broken... I'm pretty sure students are mostly the victims of these crimes...
Where does it say these where students, where does it say these where even young people?
It says it was a "Man" you assume it is a young person because you are clearly extermly predejuice against them.
Western Road is a bad area... but not as bad as other areas without the high concentration of young people..
i.e highfields, braunstone, etc , etc”
by Nick Di Perna, Western Road
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 12:22PM
“"This is a good area but there have been a couple of things in the past year, muggings and other things, which have made me wonder what's going on."
It¿s called a decline in the community...
1000¿s of student flats and housing in multiple occupancy; concentrating more young people in the vicinity, and more affluent families in the suburbs exacerbating the social, economic and environmental problems caused by demographic imbalance which undermines a community¿s capacity to tackle these problems. 1000¿s of vacant properties during summer. 82 licensed premises in the area. It¿s not sustainable.
This is only the tip of the iceberg.”