Party guests 'sit on stabbing suspect' after man dies in north London attack

Birthday party guests allegedly chased down and sat on a suspected attacker after a 29-year-old man was stabbed to death in north London.

The partygoers managed to restrain the suspect in a nearby field until police arrived, according to the clubhouse manager for Old Edmontonians FC.

Officers were called to reports of a man with serious injuries on Houndsfield Road in Edmonton at around 8.10pm on Saturday.

The 60-year-old clubhouse manager, who asked not to be named, said the victim had run towards the guests from a nearby playing field calling for help.

He then collapsed on the ground as party guests tried to revive him.

The witness said: "When I came to the door [of the club house] there was just a group of people around him [the victim].

"The woman from the bouncy castle was giving him chest compressions.

"The victim must have come over to us because he saw safety in numbers. He was on the floor then I saw him."

A second man who had not been attending the party allegedly appeared on the football pitch nearby and began "goading" the guests.

"He was waving his arms. He was goading them so they [the guests] started getting closer and closer to him.

"He didn't run, he just stood still. They somehow got him on the floor and sat on him until police came."

The clubhouse manager said the suspected attacker was restrained by "five or six" party guests.

Police say they arrested a 40-year-old man in connection with the incident.

The clubhouse had been booked for a "corporate birthday party" with about 70 guests, including some children.

Police do not believe the attack was connected to the football club or party.

The witness said the stabbing had not happened on the club's ground.

The victim died at the scene shortly after 9pm.

His family have been informed and a post-mortem is due to take place on Monday.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine appealed for witnesses, saying: "Lots of people were out and about.

"Members of the public pursued and detained a male suspect following this attack in a nearby field.

"He was subsequently arrested by police.

"I need all those present to call police with information about what they saw take place."

The death comes less than 24 hours after 34-year-old Omar Smith died in hospital on Saturday after suffering stab wounds during an incident at a chicken shop in Lewisham, south London.

Three men, aged 51, 41 and 46, have been arrested over his death.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy has been arrested after another teenager was stabbed in east London.

Police said a 15-year-old boy was stabbed in the area of Dalston Lane, suffering non life-threatening injuries.

Anyone who witnessed the incident in Edmonton is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 7400/14 sept, or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.