‘Cowards attacked me from behind’ – Harold Hill baseball bat robbery victim

Police want to speak to this man (Image: Archant)

Robert Reynolds, 56, hasn’t recovered from the injuries he sustained when two thugs stormed into Mawney MOT Centre on October 30 looking for money that wasn’t there.

As owner of the business, he was locking up, alone, after a late test when he was hit around the head with a baseball bat twice and knocked to the floor, where the two men continued the brutal assault.

Speaking to the Recorder, the Harold Hill resident recalled: “Two young men walked in and asked if they could book an MOT.

“They followed me to the office and then one of them hit me round the back of the head with a baseball bat. It felt like a big electric shock down my back and there was a white flash of light.

“As I turned round I saw it coming to the side of my head. I put my hand over my head.”

Robert was hit in the head eight times. He suffered two broken bones in his right hand and dislocated a finger in his left. His shouts for help fell on deaf ears.

Pouring with blood and acting on “pure adrenalin”, he chased the men as they ran away empty handed and dialled 999.

After collapsing at the front door, he was taken to hospital and although he defiantly returned to work the next day, the long term effects are significant.

“The hospital told me in two years I won’t be able to work because of arthritis. I’ve been doing it for 40 years – I know nothing else.

“They are cowards, they did it from behind. I consider it attempted murder – they carried on hitting me while I was on the floor.

“I’m still stuttering and having nightmares – I wake up in cold sweats.

“I hope they get a long sentence that ruins their life like they have ruined mine.”

CCTV of the robbery, which was kept in the front office, was stolen the following day. Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with both incidents.