Father stabbed to death

Press, 1 June 1988, Page 54

Father stabbed to death

NZPA-PA ' London Five men stabbed a man to death in front of his wife and son after a family outing to a restaurant turned to tragedy. Scott Barker, aged 13, waded in to help his father but was pushed aside by the five men. His mother, Lorraine, also had to defend herself from the attackers. Her husband, a power station worker, Robert Barker, aged 40, died in the arms of a policeman who attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. A hunt for the five men was immediately launchedThe trouble began in the restaurant where the Barkers were having a meal with their son. Detective Superintendent Peter Wheat said: “A group of four white men and one black man came in and began making derogatory racist remarks. “These appeared to have been aimed at the coloured man in the group and possibly the proprietor and his staff. “As a result Mr Barker remonstrated with them. He told them he did not think it was right “But when he left the. restaurant with his family the men followed.” Mr Barker, of Mill Lane, South Stifford, near Grays, died from one stab wound in the chest.