Worthing teenager's shocking ordeal

A WORTHING teenager said he feared for his life as he was robbed at knifepoint and then stabbed, just metres from his home.

Albert Hillier had a knife plunged through his right hand and another held to his throat during the savage attack in Victoria Park, Worthing.

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Following the terrifying ordeal, the 16-year-old was left lying on the grass and bleeding heavily, as the two robbers ran off laughing.

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Albert, a pupil at Worthing High School, said: "I was really scared. I didn't know what they were going to do and I just thought, 'I don't want to die'.

"When the knife went through my hand, it came right out the other side and it was really, really painful. I was completely shocked.

"After the blokes had gone, I managed to get up and run home so they could call me an ambulance."

Grabbed

The unprovoked attack happened at around 10.10pm on Thursday, May 22, when Albert left his Cobden Road home to make a call from his mobile phone.

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As he stood in Victoria Park, he was approached by two men, one of whom asked him for a cigarette lighter, but then grabbed him by the throat.

Albert said when he realised what was happening he offered them his mobile phone, but the men told him to get on the floor.

He said they then searched through his pockets before taking his phone, stabbing him through the hand and running off.

Panic

Albert's mum Chloe, 40, said: "At around 10.15pm, there was a hammering at the door and we heard Albert shouting he needed an ambulance.

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"There was blood everywhere. It was just pouring out of his hand and there was some on his neck where the knife had been.

"It was really horrible and gory.

"I was in a real panic. I didn't know whether to cry or to hug him.

"I ran off to get him a clean cloth to put round his hand while his younger brother, Ace, called an ambulance.

"You just don't expect this to happen to you.

"We have lived here for 15 years and had always felt safe here."

Stitches

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Albert was rushed to Worthing Hospital where his wound was assessed and bandaged.

A few days later, it was stitched up by a specialist at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.

Fortunately, Albert was told that with some physiotherapy, his hand should make a full recovery.

Chloe added: "The people who did this are just sad and they should pay for what they did.

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"I hope the police catch them soon as I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else.

"I want to thank everyone who helped us, including the police and our neighbours, as they've all been fantastic."

Hoodies

The robbers are described as white and in their late teens or early 20s. Both were wearing hoodie-type tops and one had stubble growth.

Police are particularly interested in talking to a woman who parked her car next to the park before the robbery took place.

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She had several small dogs with her and talked to the suspects before they attacked Albert.

The witness, or anyone with information, should contact Detective Constable Sue Smith from Worthing police on 0845 6070 999 extension 81529.

Exams

Albert has to keep his heavily-bandaged hand elevated, and will have to have a scribe write for him in his GCSE exams in the coming weeks.

Mum Chloe said: "I was really worried he wouldn't be able to sit his GCSEs but luckily, we've just had word he'll have someone to write for him, so he can.

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"Albert is going places. He's really bright and has a brilliant life ahead of him. He wants to be a lawyer."

Albert, who is predicted to get mostly As in his GCSE exams, and plans to start four A levels at Worthing College in September, said: "This has definitely made me more wary of going out, but I'm not going to let it ruin my life."

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