UPDATE - LEE: 'Open mind' over Boone Street leg stab murder

Those were the words of a shopkeeper this morning (March 15) after learning one of his regular customers had been knifed to death.

The body of Abdel-Salam Hussain Abdel-Salam was discovered on Saturday morning (March 13) at around 7.10am in Boone Street, Lee, by the London Ambulance Service and police officers.

A post-mortem examination at Greenwich mortuary yesterday (March 14) revealed the 56-year-old died as a result of blood loss from the femoral artery in his leg.

Mr Abdel-Salam has been described as a leading human rights lawyer and intellectual, helping fight for justice in Sudan.

The Met Police’s homicide and serious crime command has now launched a murder investigation.

Everol McCaulsky runs Mac Flynn Groceries which is just yards from Mr Abdel-Salam’s bottom floor flat, near St Margaret's Lee Primary School.

Mr McCaulsky told News Shopper he last saw the murder victim on Monday, March 8.

The 52-year-old said: “He was a very friendly man and a gentle giant.

“I would often see him around and he would always say hello.

“But he was quite a private person and I am shocked that this has happened to him.

“I don’t know why anyone would want to hurt him.”

He explained that Mr Abdel-Salam was a Muslim and used crutches after a foot operation.

And Mr McCaulsky says he rarely saw anyone visit the murdered man’s flat and was unaware he had any immediate family living nearby.

He continued: “I arrived at work on Saturday morning to find the police outside my shop.

“There has been forensic officers here and police have turned up all the drains - maybe looking for a murder weapon.

“People think because this is an estate there is lots of trouble, but there isn’t.”

Mr Abdel-Salam’s next of kin have been informed.

No-one has been arrested in connection with the stabbing.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Officers retain an open mind as to the motive for this incident."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

A statement from human rights organisation Redress said: "Redress mourns the loss of our beloved colleague and friend Abdelsalam Hassan Abdelsalam.

"Abdelsalam Hassan, Sudan legal advisor at Redress, was a renowned lawyer and intellectual who played a leading role in the struggle for human rights and justice in Sudan over the last three decades.

"We will greatly miss his depth of knowledge and commitment and the conviviality with which he enriched our daily lives."

Did you know Abdel-Salam Hussain Abdel-Salam? Call the newsroom on 01689 885703 or email your pictures and tributes to newsroom@london.newsquest.co.uk.