'They had knives, they jumped me … that's the last thing I
‘They had knives, they jumped me … that’s the last thing I
0 Comments | Evening Standard; London (UK), Jul 23, 2010 | by Felix Allen
A TEACHER who was almost killed in a gang knife attack near his east London school vowed today to be back in his classroom in September despite suffering horrific injuries.
Gary Smith’s face was slashed from his mouth to his neck and he was stabbed and beaten repeatedly by a group of five Asian youths — all wearing black bandanas — as he walked to work in Mile End.
The 37-year-old, a religious studies teacher at Central Foundation School for Girls in Bow, told the Standard he was lucky to be alive after being ambushed at 8.20am on July 12.
Police first treated the attack as a robbery but upgraded the investigation to attempted murder because Mr Smith was so seriously injured. He needed three operations to repair his face and was not discharged from hospital until last night.
Speaking for the first time about the savage attack, he said: “They were all armed with knives. I tried to defend myself and run away but they all jumped me and that’s the last thing I remember. I’m not sure how many times they stabbed me — I’ve got several wounds on my head, and bruises all over my face and body.
“I wouldn’t want anybody else to suffer what I went through. I survived but somebody else might not.
“If this is the kind of thing they’re doing, I hope they will be caught soon to keep people safe.”
Mr Smith, who also runs a martial arts club, said that he did not believe the youths recognised him or targeted him for any reason.
He said from his home in Chingford: “I’ve absolutely no idea what the motive could be. I was just walking to work and it seems entirely random.
“They were probably just looking for someone to hurt and I happened to be there.
“I’m very pleased to be home so I can start to recover fully. I’ve had a lot of support from my family and my friends and colleagues at school
foundation repair
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