Thugs leave 82-year-old cancer patient in critical condition after dragging him to ground to steal watch

The "vicious" robbers who attacked an 82-year-old man with a walking stick to steal his watch have been on the loose for more than a month.

Victim Ahmet Dobran is in a critical condition in hospital after the sick assault, which saw him being grabbed by the neck whilst three men dealt blows to his back and arms.

The elderly man, who uses a walking stick, was dragged to the ground by three men who pinned him down before forcibly removing his personal jewellery, in Sussex Road, Newham, at around 6.55pm on Sunday August 27.

Mr Dobran's son and daughters spokes of the devastation of the attack.

They said: "This attack has taken his independence away.

"Our father is not an indoor person, and now he will be stuck in doors for the rest of his life.

"We are appalled at how someone can do this to an old man.

"He is now unable to fly to Cyprus to see the rest of his family, he used to go there a couple of times a year.

"Can someone please come forward with information regarding who done this to our father, someone knows who they are.

"The people who did this could do this to someone else, with no guilty conscience."

Mr Dobran sustained three fractures to his vertebrae after one of the three men grabbed him by the neck while the others reigned blows to his back and arms.

They then forced him to the ground, where they removed his gold bracelet and Longine wristwatch.

The attack aggravated other conditions, such as Parkinson's, and a cancer the victim was receiving treatment for.

'Beyond comprehension'

Detectives have released three new images of the men they want to speak to in relation with the attack, along with a new image of Mr Dobran who is currently in critical condition in hospital.

PC Sam Bush, the investigating officer, said: "How three grown men can be so vicious in attacking and robbing an 82-year-old man with a walking stick is beyond comprehension.

“Over the past month, Mr Dobran has been in and out of an induced coma, and he is now on a high dependency ward in hospital.

"He needs breathing apparatus, which includes a tracheotomy. Doctors are not sure if this is permanent or temporary.

"The men still have not been identified, and I believe that they are not local to the area of East Ham, or even Newham.

"Someone knows who the suspects are we need to catch them before they target anyone else, as they clearly have utter disregard for their victims and do not hesitate to use violence."

Anyone who recognises the men pictured is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111. You can also Tweet information to police @MetCC.

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