Crawley town centre brawl linked with Queens Square attack

A man has appeared in court charged with possessing a kitchen knife and two others have been arrested after emergency services were called to a four man fight in Affogato, the Broadway, at about 2.30pm on Thursday (March 10).

A police spokesman said the fight followed an attack by three men on a 22-year-old Brighton man in Queens Square the previous day.

Detective Sergeant Peter Yarrow said: “We believe that these two incidents are linked and that the individuals are all known to each other.

“Anyone who saw something suspicious in High Street on Thursday or Queens Square on Wednesday is asked to get in touch.”

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said officers warned the ambulance service of an assault or fight in the Affogato ice cream parlour when officers were called to it on Thursday.

He said a man in his 20s who was bleeding from a suspected stab wound to the head was taken to Crawley Hospital after paramedics were called to Victoria Mews, West Green, at about 2.55pm.

A police spokesman said officers were called to the High Street but the group dispersed before police arrived.

Areas around Affogato and a nearby charity shop Debra cordoned off.

Naser Haji, 22, a clerk, of Lewes Road, Brighton, was arrested and appeared in custody before Crawley magistrates charged with possession of a kitchen knife. He was remanded in custody on Friday to appear at Lewes Crown Court on April 8, a court spokesman said.

A police spokesman said a 43-year-old Crawley man was arrested on suspicion of affray following a ‘thorough search of the area’.

He has been released on police bail until April 8.

An 18-year-old man from Crawley has been arrested on suspicion of affray and released on police bail until April 21.

A police spokesman said: “It follows an incident in Queens Square, Crawley on Wednesday (9 March) in which a 22-year-old man from Brighton was attacked by three men. The victim suffered cuts to his head, hands and shoulder which required hospital treatment.

“One of the suspects, described as black, 6’ and of skinny build is thought to have run off with the victim’s wallet and smart phone.

Witnesses can email [email protected] or call 101 quoting reference 797 of 10/03.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/).

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