THE death of a man in Barnehurst today is being treated by police as suspicious.

The body is believed to be that of a television engineer in his early 40s - found in Parkside Avenue at 10am this morning.

Witnesses say the man had been stabbed and that his father found the body, before calling an ambulance from The Pop In Shop in North End Road.

Shop assistant Sharon Oliver, 44, said: "Someone has been stabbed.

"His dad came into the shop on the corner where I work about 9.30am - to use the phone to ring an ambulance.

"He had blood on his hands and used our sink to wash them.

She added: "The father said he had found him and he had been trying to wake his son but he was so cold.

"He was very distressed."

The Pop In Shop has been closed during the day while police forensic teams examine the premises.

Police have not revealed the identity of the victim, but locals say he was the father of two young children - a boy and a girl aged four and five.

Ms Oliver, of Green Walk, Crayford, said the dead man - known to people in the area as Graham - was a regular customer in the shop.

She said: "He was in here yesterday at about 5.15pm - with his ex-wife.

"He seemed fine then."

She added: "I am shocked, when you are laughing and joking with someone one day and find they are gone the next.

"From what I know of him he was a very nice person - he didn't deserve that."

The owner of North End Wine a few doors down from the Pop In Shop said Graham regularly visited his off-licence shop to buy vodka.

Daud Sawari, 24, said: "He was a really nice guy - very quiet.

"I have known him for years - since I got the shop.

"He was as good as gold and always polite.

"He came in last night to buy something - I can't remember what he bought because I was serving another customer."

He added: "I am really upset - he was such a nice guy - I can't believe it."

Parkhurst Road has been closed between North End Road and Eversley Cross.

  • Two men have been arrested in connection with the death.
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