Swimmer feared for his life in attack by youths

8:01am Sunday 11th May 2008

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A group of youths left a man dazed and bleeding after they launched a gang assault on him.

Former Channel swimmer Jacques Pasquier, who is originally from France and now lives in Riverview Gardens, Barnes, thought he could have been killed during the mass attack near his home last month.

Mr Pasquier, 48, said: "It was so quick. I thought I would be smashed. They started to jump on me.

"I thought if I don't defend myself they will put me on the floor and they could kill me."

The trouble started after boys and girls aged about 13 or 14, racing along the street on scooters narrowly missed hitting his dog on Saturday, April 19.

At 12.15pm, Mr Pasquier challenged one boy, telling him he had "nothing to do here" and asking him to "go away".

He then recalls seeing 10 or 12 people at the end of the street running towards him and starting to fight.

Mr Pasquier added: "One of them had a bar or something - I did not really see it.

"He hit me on the top of my eyes. It was so bloody I could not see anymore."

Police were called by a resident who witnessed the attack, while a neighbour intervened and pulled five youths off him. The group escaped over Hammersmith Bridge when they heard the sirens approaching.

Mr Pasquier was treated at hospital for two cuts over his right eye, which required six stitches.

Mr Pasquier, the executive chef at the Swiss Embassy, suspected the youths might have been drinking or taking drugs.

Member of the Barnes Police Liaison Group, Martyn Wheatley, urged the community to unite against "feral children" who attack others as "some sort of entertainment".

He said: "It is something we should all be aware of and fight against."

Call police with any information on 020 8247 7042 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.