Wimbledon Burglary Victim 'Feared The Worst'

A father of four who was viciously attacked at his home in southwest London thought he was going to die, according to his brother.

Paul Kohler, 55, from Wimbledon, suffered what doctors have described as "life-changing" facial injuries, as well as bruises all over his body.

His younger brother Marcus told Sky News: "He thought he wasn't going to get out of this one. He certainly thought he was going to lose his sight."

Mr Kohler, a senior academic at London's School of African and Oriental Studies, was set upon by four masked men after he answered his front door on Monday night.

"They struck him as soon as he opened the door," said Marcus. "They overpowered him, held him down and were punching him repeatedly by sitting on his chest.

"They were trying to put gaffer tape around his mouth. He resisted."

When Mr Kohler's 50-year-old wife Sam came down to see what was happening she was "pushed to the ground and they covered her face".

The alarm was raised by the couple's eldest daughter, Eloise, 24, who was upstairs with her partner. "They very sensibly locked the door and called the police."

Two men were arrested at the scene and have since appeared in court, but two other suspects are still on the run.

Scotland Yard have released new footage of one of the men removing surgical gloves as he fled through Wimbledon Theatre car park moments after the attack.

The men were believed to have spoken with Eastern European accents.

Asked about possible motives, the family believe it could have been a case of mistaken identity.

"(My brother) didn't understand why they were asking for money," said Marcus. "Obviously you can speculate on many things, but we still think they got the wrong house."

Mr Kohler is now recovering in hospital after a number of blood transfusions. He is starting to regain some sight in his left eye but is likely to need surgery to repair the damage to his face.

Detective Inspector Dan O'Sullivan, of the Metropolitan Police's burglary squad, said: "I must stress this appears to be an isolated incident and such cases are thankfully rare.

"However, this serious attack is now subject of a meticulous inquiry whilst we work to support individuals affected by the events and the local community."

As well as witnesses to the attack, police would like to speak to people who saw a silver Volkswagen two-door cabriolet which is believed to have been used by the suspects.

:: Anyone with information is asked to call the Met on 020 8649 3159. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.