Hammer attack victim left with severe brain injuries

Posted: April 13, 2014

Posted in: Arm Injury Criminal Injury and Assault Head and Brain Injuries Hotel Accidents 

A victim of a hotel hammer attack has been left with only 5% brain function and severe facial injuries. The woman was with her two sisters at the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch when the attack happened earlier this month. The attacker, 33-year-old Philip Spence, has been remanded in custody charged with three accounts of attempted murder.

The main victim suffered life-threatening injuries in the attack, including the loss of large quantities of blood, the loss of one eye, and a significant loss of brain function. Despite this, her other organs are in good working order following the accident, which doctors have labeled ‘rare’ considering such extensive blood loss. 

The other two sisters were also injured in the attack. One of them suffered two skull fractures, a broken arm and a cheekbone fracture, while the other has a fractured skull and ruptured eardrum. Both remain in hospital for treatment alongside their sister.

Three others involved

The sisters had originally come to London from the United Arab Emirates for a shopping and sightseeing trip. They chose to stay in the Cumberland Hotel due to its location – near Europe’s busiest shopping street, Oxford Street.

Mr Spence appeared in custody alongside three other men: 56-year-old Thomas Efremi, 33-year-old James Moss, and 31-year-old Carly Baker, all for handling stolen goods. A fourth man, aged 34, was also arrested over the attack but was released on bail to return in May.

If you have suffered a crime-related injury, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us. 

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