Family’s puppy stolen by gang of teenagers

7:25am Thursday 21st December 2006

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A FAMILY was left in shock after a gang stole their Christmas puppy.

Jake Lewis was with friends, walking his German shepherd dog Diesel near Morden Mount School in Lewisham Road, Lewisham.

The 14-year-old was lagging behind his friends when he was assaulted by a gang of eight black 16 to 18-year-old boys.

His friends, Shannen Meadows, and John Rodriguez-Quisbert, both 13, had walked ahead with their dogs through an alleyway.

Three members of the hang punched and kicked Jake to the ground, leaving him bruised.

Meanwhile the other five youths ran off with the 12-week-old puppy across Lewisham Road towards the Lethbridge estate.

Now Jake and his family are appealing for witnesses to come forward to help get their puppy returned.

Jake's mother, Carol Kent, of Nectarine Way, Lewisham, said: "It has upset and shocked us all.

"You can't even walk a puppy without getting mugged.

"I bought Diesel as a Christmas present for my sons and I can't afford to buy anything else.

"If anyone sees him, please get in touch with the police."

Since the incident, at 10.10pm on December 8, the mother-of-four has put up posters of Diesel in shops and surgeries along Lewisham Road and Morden Hill.

Any witnesses should call Greenwich police on 020 8294 1212.