A MOSQUE caretaker has told how he was smashed over the head with a hammer after cornering intruders.

Mohamade Koheealla, 59, was asleep in his bed at the Greenwich Islamic Centre, Plumstead Road, Woolwich, when he was awoken by a noise.

The father-of-three ran out of his room and found two black men trying to break into the mosque's CCTV unit before he was pushed to the ground and attacked.

It was only thanks to a panic button he had concealed in his clothes he was able to sound the alarm and alert police.

He said: "I ran downstairs and the first thing I know I was pushed to the ground.

"One of them started stamping on my feet and the other went at me with a hammer saying I'm going to kill you'.

"I feared I would be killed.

"He was hitting me over the head. I had to protect myself using my hands."

The two intruders, who did not manage to escape with anything, fled in a dark coloured car.

Mr Koheealla was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, and treated for head injuries.

Officers have examined the scene for forensic evidence and are viewing CCTV footage.

While police are keeping an open mind as to the motive of this incident, it comes on top of another four attacks in the past eight months.

Centre director Tariq Abbasi says more than £6,000 damage has been caused by repeated attempts to burn the centre down.

Greenwich police spokesman Superintendent David Cartwright said: "We are aware of previous incidents at the centre and are sensitive to community concerns but at this stage we have to retain an open mind as to the motive."

Anyone with information about the incident, which happened at 3.30am on November 26, should call police on 020 8855 1212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.