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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 17 October 2008

Councillor Meral Ece

Councillor tells of shock after son is attacked by street gang

STREET crime became a reality for a leading Islington Lib Dem councillor Meral Ece this week after her own son was viciously mugged by a gang of youths.
The 17-year-old music student was attacked at 11.30pm on Saturday night in Green Lanes as he was returning home with friends.
Cllr Ece, who represents Mildmay, said her son fell to the ground and dislocated his knee as he was being surrounded and attacked.
“He was like a sitting duck,” she said.
Cllr Ece said her son thought he would be knifed.
Speaking to the Tribune last night (Thursday) Cllr Ece, who has three children, said: “It was shocking. There were four of them and he was surrounded.
“He fell on his knee. He was trapped. His friends didn’t leave him, they were calling the ambulance.
“He couldn’t run but they still mugged and kicked him and took his mobile even though he was on the ground. He was a sitting duck.”
Although her son, who is recovering at home on crutches, didn’t see any weapons, the gang, aged between 12 and 20, did threaten to stab him and his friends.
Other members of the group were also beaten and one was taken to hospital after being kicked in the face.
Cllr Ece said: “Parents of young men are really worried when they go out.
“It’s an indictment of this society that these young men feel need to go out and attack and threaten other young men.
“You don’t know if someone’s carrying a knife. We were lucky, other families have had worse. I, as a mother, feel strongly that young men feel not as safe as my generation.
“I believe all stabbings and attacks should be monitored. I don’t believe we have the full facts. Hospitals should be required to report all stabbings.
“It’s the fear of crime for those kids – to have to find the confidence to go back out again.
“I don’t want (my son) to lose confidence. I want him to enjoy the social life that young people should be having.
“He really thought that was it. At least he’s safe and that’s all that matters. It’s been a shock to us all.”

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