Robbers smash antiques dealer over the head with hammer
A RENOWNED antiques dealer who has regularly appeared on television has described the terrifying moment he was smashed over the head with a hammer by balaclava clad robbers during a raid on his Chelsea boutique.
Ian Towning, 76, who has appeared on shows including ITV’S Dickinson’s
Real Deal and Channel 4’s Posh Pawn, was attacked by two armed men who stole more than £100,000 worth of jewellery.
One of the attackers was carrying a sledge hammer and the other a claw hammer. The pair entered Mr Towning’s store in Sydney Street in Chelsea, west London, on Tuesday around lunchtime.
They were initially challenged by a security guard who was struck on the head and knocked unconscious, before they began attempting to smash a reinforced glass display cabinet.
Mr Towning, who was in the shop with his partner, Les Barrett, 77, was then attacked by the men who were trying to get to a cabinet containing £1 million worth of antique jewellery.
Mr Towning bravely attempted to hold the robbers off before one of them struck him on the head with the claw hammer before punching him in the face.
The other robber then reached into the display cabinet and began grabbing jewellery including sapphire and diamond necklaces.
The pair then made off out of the store and into Sydney Street.
Mr Towning, who was treated for head injuries and facial bruising, told the Mail on Sunday: “The doctors told me that I am lucky to be alive.
“I was lucky my injuries could have been much worse, though I am still in a lot of pain.”
He went on: “I wasn’t going to let anyone steal my jewels without a fight, that’s just the way I am.
“Since the robbery, people keep telling us that now is surely the time to give up, but we’re not going to let them beat us.”
Scotland Yard’s Detective Sergeant Richard Hall, who is leading the investigation, said: “If you know anything or have witnessed anything suspicious in the Sydney Street area at the time then please come forward to police.”