Chameleon's Shadow

>>>Reuters wire service to UK broadcasting stations

>>>BREAKING NEWS>>>BREAKING NEWS>>>BREAKING NEWS >>> Friday 10 August 17:17

Bermondsey man viciously attacked

Elderly London pensioner Walter Tutting, 82, sustained life-threatening head injuries from a vicious attack in broad daylight today. He was taken to intensive care at St Thomas’s Hospital after collapsing inside the doorway of an empty shop in Gainsborough Road, Bermondsey.

Hospital authorities describe Mr Tutting’s condition as ‘critical’. It is not known whether he was able to give details about his assailant.

Shop renovators Jim Adams, 53, and Barry Fielder, 36, found Mr Tutting when they returned from a lunch break. ‘He was in a bad way,’ said Jim Adams. ‘We were shocked that no one helped him. Passers-by must have thought he was drunk.’

Police have called for witnesses. A spokesman said, ‘As this incident happened around lunchtime, there must have been people who saw it. We believe Mr Tutting crossed Gainsborough Road before collapsing in the shop doorway. Passing drivers may have seen him.’

He refused to comment on whether police are linking this attack to the recent murders of three men in the SE1 area. Harry Peel, Martin Britton and Kevin Atkins all died from serious head injuries.

Traffic was brought to a standstill when part of Gainsborough Road was sealed off for a fingertip search. Witnesses say police discovered bloodstain evidence in an alleyway opposite the empty shop where Mr Tutting was found. The alley leads to Mr Tutting’s house, which has been sealed off pending examination.

Mr Tutting is a widower with three children and seven grandchildren. His daughter Amy, 53, is at his bedside.