Family pain at litter row death

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/6947744.stm

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The sister of a man who died after confronting youths who threw litter into her car has said she is finding it hard to come to terms with his death.

Evren Anil, 23, was attacked when he challenged one of the teenagers for throwing litter into Elif Anil's car.

Five people have been arrested and bailed over the attack in Crystal Palace, south-east London, on 5 August.

Mr Anil died on Monday. A post-mortem test found he died from a head injury sustained when he hit the pavement.

Mr Anil, 23, of Upper Norwood, south-east London, was in the front passenger seat when the pair threw rubbish through an open window as the car waited at traffic lights on Central Hill.

Police said an elderly passer-by intervened when the youths produced a knife, but that person left the scene when the blade was put to his throat.

The passer-by then alerted the emergency services.

I would not wish this upon anyone else Elif Anil

Ms Anil told BBC London: "What I and my family have been through, I can't describe it. It's very hard, very hard.

"I would not wish this upon anyone else. And this needs to be sorted out."

Both suspects, who were described as being black and in their late teens, ran off into the nearby Central Hill Estate.

Mr Anil spent more than a week in hospital before he died. He had recently graduated with a first class degree in computer science.

Det Ch Insp Cliff Lyons said: "This was an excessive use of violence by two youths who apparently attacked Mr Anil because he dared to challenge their behaviour.

"He never recovered from the injuries he sustained that day and leaves behind a family trying to come to terms with their loss."

Mr Anil's cousin, Mehmet Aray, said: "We have got youngsters running riot on our streets, carrying knives.

"But it is normal for us now. It is just another part of our lives."