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Four held for hammer attack on UAE women in London

Police in London said they have arrested four suspects, including a woman, for questioning following the hammer attack on three Emirati women. One victim remains in critical condition.

The suspects will remain in custody till charged, a police spokesperson said.
Three men aged 32, 34 and 56 were arrested on suspicion of murder from Islington, and the woman suspect, 31, who was booked for handling stolen goods, have been locked up in north London police stations.

'Officers investigating serious assaults on three women at the Cumberland Hotel, W1 on 6 April arrested four people this evening, Tuesday 8 April,' the Metropolitan Police said. The arrests were made between 7 pm and 9pm local time.
St. Mary’s Hospital, where the injured sisters were rushed for treatment, did not divulge information on their condition, but sources said one of them was still in coma, while the other two were recovering from their head and facial injuries.
“This is an exceptionally unusual and rare incident to have taken place in a busy London hotel and we are currently working round the clock to identify and secure CCTV (footage) as well as forensic evidence opportunities,” said Detective Superintendent Carl Mehta.
He said the motive for this attack could be burglary. “However, we retain an open mind.”
Police said the male suspect entered the bedroom occupied by the Emiratis sisters — all in their 30s — and three children aged 7-12 years, on the seventh floor of the building. The children were sleeping in adjoining rooms and were unhurt.
Detectives said the suspect was “disturbed” by the occupants of the room, who could have put up a fight when he tried to steal their belongings or cash. Surprised by their resistance, he bludgeoned them without mercy and made good his escape.
“I would urge anyone who may have seen a man acting suspiciously in the hotel, possibly loitering just before the incident or leaving, possibly with blood stained clothes, to contact the police,” Mehta said.
Sources told Khaleej Times that the suspect could have stalked one of the Emirati women who was returning from a shopping spree and followed her to her room. He could have returned in the night and managed to gain entry into the room, but did expect to find others with her.
Speaking from London, the youngest sister of the victims — who was not in the room at the time of the attack — said the suspect knocked on the door of the room and attacked one of the victims. Hearing her screams, the others rushed to her aid, but were battered by the intruder.
allan@khaleejtimes.com