Two Charged Over Wimbledon Burglary

Two men have been charged in connection with a burglary in Wimbledon which left a homeowner with "extreme facial injuries".

Officers were called to an address on Kings Road at around 10pm on Monday (11 August).

A 23-year-old man arrested at the scene has been charged with grievous bodily harm and aggravated burglary and will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court today (Thursday 14 August), Scotland Yard said.

A 32-year-old man appeared before Wimbledon magistrates yesterday on the same charges, but two other suspects are still on the run and police are trying to trace them.

It is understood the 55-year-old victim opened the front door to four masked men who entered his home.

The man was attacked, while a 50-year-old woman was also threatened.

Their daughter and a man, both in their early 20s and who were upstairs at the time, managed to call 999 for help from a locked room.

Police said officers were on the scene within minutes and arrested two suspects in their late twenties.

The two others made off on foot and one headed towards Wimbledon town centre, police said. It is not known which direction the other man took.

Both remain at large and are believed to be aged between 20 and 30, and of eastern European heritage.

It is understood that a number of personal items were stolen from the address, some of which have been recovered, as they were discarded by the suspects.

The injured man is in a south London hospital receiving treatment for multiple facial injuries and bruising to his body and limbs.

He is undergoing surgery to the eye and police said his condition is described as life-changing.

Detective Inspector Dan O'Sullivan of Merton Burglary Squad said the victim and his family were "distraught" and could not understand why they had been targeted.

He said: "I'm appealing to anyone who was in the area between 9pm and 11pm to come forward and speak to us if they heard or saw anything suspicious. We are also seeking information regarding a silver car the suspects may have used.

"The fast response to the 999 call ensured that two suspects were apprehended and the victim could receive immediate first aid.

"I must stress that this appears to be an isolated incident, and such cases are thankfully rare."

Anyone with information is urged to call the incident room on 020 8649 3159; or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.