Hero dad is battered to death as he confronts yobs
Council worker, 46, dies trying to stop drug dealing outside his home
A DAD has been killed after telling drug dealers to stop selling outside his flat.
Council worker Ian Tomlin’s murder came as data showed violent crime has soared 19%.
Dad Cecil, who saw his 46-year-old son’s body in a stairwell in Battersea, South West London, said: “All this needs to stop.”
THE father of murdered council worker Ian Tomlin has blasted police for failing to tackle lawlessness on our streets and protect his son.
Grieving Cecil, 84, said the dad of two had previously confronted drug dealers outside his home, yet claimed officers were never seen in the area.
Ian’s death came as figures showed the number of murders is up by 14%.
Cecil demanded that authorities take action. He said: “The Government needs to do something because you never see the police and council around here. And now my son is dead.”
Former amateur boxer Ian, who drove council buses for the elderly and disabled, died at the scene on Wednesday in Battersea, South West London.
Cecil described how he found his son in a stairwell after being alerted by another son. He said Ian, 46, was killed after telling dealers to stop selling drugs outside his home.
He went on: “All this needs to stop. The Government, when they catch these people with drugs they should charge them and put them in prison for life.
“If they have a gun they should put them in prison for life, even if they don’t kill anybody. The police aren’t doing anything about them.”
Ian was one of seven brothers and had a son aged nine and a daughter, 10, with an ex who lives in the same block.
Cecil, part of the Windrush generation who came to the UK from Jamaica, said his son was protecting his family.
He said: “It’s not the first time [he has confronted dealers]. He had told them before not to press the buzzer.
“He has kids and [the dealers] were smoking on the landing outside.
HORROR
“He had asked them before and nothing had happened, but he asked them this time and something happened.”
Witnesses told of the horror of the attack. One, who did not want to be named to avoid retribution, said: “People hang out in the walkway near Ian’s flat.
“He had mentioned it before and said we shouldn’t have to put up with it. Last night he confronted it and it went horribly wrong.”
Another said: “It was like a slaughterhouse. I heard screaming and I ran out, and a friend ran from the lift shouting that I should get back and that there was a body. There was blood everywhere.”
Another neighbour said she has stopped her children playing in the estate’s stairwells and walkways to keep them from gangs.
She added: “I’ve always been worried to send my kids out and last night showed why.”
Last night Ian’s parents and brothers gathered at his mum’s flat, less than 100 metres from where he died.
A friend said: “They’re a close-knit group. They have all lived on this estate for years.
“His parents have separated but the family are always in and out of each other’s houses. It is
heartbreaking for them, for the whole community. We’ve all known Ian for years.” Ian had lived all his life on the first floor of the 10-storey block on the Doddington Estate. One neighbour paid tribute to the “devoted dad”. They added: “Ian was very against
the drug dealers, right where he was murdered, on that first floor landing, and especially antisocial behaviour when he had his children with him – noise up to four of five in the morning.
“The first floor is used for drug dealing. Police know it happens every single day.
“The police haven’t been able to tackle the rise of drugs on this estate. I’m absolutely terrified.
“He was a young, strong, really lovely black guy; the nicest, kindest person.” The father, who did not wish to be named, saw police trying to save Ian.
He said: “He was on his back in his boxers and police were trying to resuscitate him. He’s obviously been stabbed in his neck and the head. There was blood every- where.” Witnesses told how they saw a man sprint from the scene.
One staff member at nearby restaurant Battersea Fish Bar said: “This guy ran out of the building. He was holding a metal rod. I think he was hurt as well, he was limping. He was saying, ‘Open the door, open the door’.
“There was a guy waiting in a car and they drove away in a black Astra.” Police were called at around 5.30pm to reports of a fight. The victim was found “with injuries after having been assaulted”, a police spokesman said.
Medics fought for 45 minutes to save Ian but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.30pm. Witnesses said he had been stabbed in the neck.
Large areas were cordoned off last night as forensic officers gathered evidence. Local MP Marsha de Cordova said: “I am very sorry to learn another life has been taken as a result of violent crime.”
Ian’s death marks the 106th murder investigation launched in the capital this year. Scotland Yard said a postmortem will take place “in due course.” No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information should call police on 020 8721 4005 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
He said we shouldn’t have to put up with it, he confronted it and it went horribly wrong WITNESS ON HOW IAN TRIED TO TACKLE DRUG DEALER PROBLEM
THE horrific murder of Ian Tomlin should be a wake-up call to those charged with keeping us safe.
A dad was killed on his doorstep after confronting drug dealers selling outside his home.
His family are right to ask where were the police and why our streets have become so dangerous.
Latest statistics show violent crime, knife crime and homicide all on the rise.
Households are becoming increasingly alarmed by this surge in lawlessness. Reversing the trend requires a concerted effort by politicians, the police and community leaders.
Tory ministers need to recognise that their cuts to police numbers and youth services have consequences.
Tougher sentences for knife crime should be considered. The authorities also need to offer those tempted down the path of crime an alternative – whether it is job training or support with education.
There is no single solution but we owe it to Mr Tomlin’s family and other victims to do all we can to make our streets safe again.