Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB Published: 29 August 2008
The CCTV image released by police
Police in hunt for club stab suspect
DETECTIVES have released images of a man wanted in connection with a near-fatal stabbing inside a Finsbury nightclub earlier this month. The picture shows the main suspect standing outside Orleans nightclub on Seven Sisters Road in a white hat, moments after the attack in which a reveller was stabbed four times.
The suspect is described as slim, aged about 18 to 20, about 5ft 9in tall and with hair in cornrows or dreadlocks.
Orleans’ 24-hour licence came under scrutiny from the Town Hall’s licensing panel less than a week before the incident after police complained about the high number of occasions on which they have been called to the venue.
At the time, owner Anthony Raphael was told he could no longer stay open indefinitely and councillors agreed to curb his opening hours to 3.30am.
Mr Raphael told the Tribune he planned to appeal against the decision.
Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses to the stabbing, which took place at 2.30am on Sunday, August 3.
The victim, who is from Harringay, was with friends, when they became involved in an argument with another group of men.
As the victim stepped in to protect one of his friends, one of the group stabbed him four times.
He was seriously injured and spent the next week recovering at University College Hospital. He is now making a good recovery at home.
Detective Constable Lee Spicer, from Islington CID, said: “This was a near fatal attack in which the victim was stabbed four times – once in the upper leg and three times in the back. “Anyone who recognises the suspect in the CCTV should contact us immediately.”
Anyone with information should call Islington CID on 020 7421 0350 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.