Stabbing victim loses legs - General Discussion

Mr Poetic · 13-10-2006, 16:54

Stabbing victim has both his legs amputated

Oct 13 2006

By Crime Reporter Ben Ashford

WHEN 20-YEAR-OLD Lewis Dirienzo finally wakes up he will have to cope with the shattering reality of a life without legs - all because of a single knife wound.

In yet another horrifying illustration of South London's appalling knife culture, Lewis was stabbed in the stomach in a petty row over a minicab.

The blade tore through his liver and intestines and came perilously close to puncturing his heart.

Worse still it severed arteries, halting the flow of blood to the fitness fanatic's lower body and forcing surgeons to take the drastic step of amputating both legs below the knee.

As Millwall fan Lewis lay critically ill in hospital this week, his family became the latest to hit out at the increasingly casual use of knifes.

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Cousin and guardian Cydney Dirienzo, 34, said: "Anyone can go to their kitchen drawer and pick up a knife.

"But if they want to see the horrifying consequences of using one, they should come and see Lewis.

"Our proud young boy has lost his legs and almost his life,all because of a single stab wound.

"He can't go to the gym or play football, he can't carry on with his job as a roofer.

"You see people coming back from war zones with lesser injuries."

She added: "Lewis is the kindest lad you could hope to meet. He's never done anything wrong.

"But he's been carved into like a piece of meat. It makes me feel physically sick."

Popular Lewis,from Lewisham, was stabbed outside a party in Rocastle Road, Brockley, when he tried to get back inside to call a cab, it is alleged.

Medics held out little hope for the former Crofton Park pupil when he arrived at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, in the early hours of September 29.

Cydney, among scores of family and friends keeping vigil at Lewis's hospital bedside,said: "For 48 hours he was the sickest boy in London. We were all prepared for the worst.

"The doctors were 99.9 per cent sure he wouldn't survive.

"But Lewis had age on his side.And thankfully his friend Matthew had pressed a T-shirt to his wounds which saved his life.

"Of course that was just the first battle.By the Monday his legs had turned blue, they were cold and rock hard and doctors had to amputate both before the blood poisoning killed him.

"Lewis has barely opened his eyes since and he doesn't know about his legs.

"I'm dreading the conversation. How do you tell a lad who has been stabbed in the stomach that he's lost his legs?"

In a further tragic twist, Lewis's ordeal mirrors that of a close friend left wheelchair-bound after a motorcycle crash.

"He was deeply effected by what happened to his friend John," added Cydney.

"He told me,'If that was me,I wouldn't want to wake up'."

Friends and family, including sister Melanie and disabled mum Carol, were joined in hospital this week by concerned Millwall stars Paul Robinson and Tom Brighton who paid Lewis a visit after the club heard of his plight.

Lewis's devoted girlfriend Anna-Louise Tamborrino, 23, branded the knife culture "disgusting" and called for tougher sentences for those caught carrying blades.

Her sister, Stefania, 24, added: "People who carry knives have no respect for life."

The horrifying attack follows a string of stabbings and knife deaths across South London.

Grandmother Carmelita Tulloch was killed last month in Wickham Street, Kennington, as she walked to work.

And Mark Murphy, 38, was three months away from becoming a dad when he was stabbed to death at a house in Bournevale Road, Streatham, on August 22.

John Opie, 26, was fatally knifed in Delawyk Crescent, Herne Hill, on the same day and schoolboy Alex Mulumba was fatally stabbed in Black Prince Road, Kennington, in June.

Information on the attack on Lewis at 2.45am on September 30 to Lewisham CID on 020 8284 8304 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

* Porter Nabil Zerouak,36, of Lowth Road, Camberwell, is in custody charged with grievous bodily harm.

Dazballer · 13-10-2006, 16:58

* Porter Nabil Zerouak,36, of Lowth Road, Camberwell, is in custody charged with grievous bodily harm.

Why not attempted murder?

Mr Poetic · 13-10-2006, 17:05

my thoughts exactly. if you stab someone ypu are trying to kill them

yBSy · 13-10-2006, 17:16

I think metal knives should be banned.
All metal knives should be replaced with plastic ones.
Unlocked kitchen draws are so dangerous because they're at an easy height for children to reach.

13-10-2006, 16:54	#1
Mr Poetic Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,533	Stabbing victim loses legs Stabbing victim has both his legs amputated Oct 13 2006 By Crime Reporter Ben Ashford WHEN 20-YEAR-OLD Lewis Dirienzo finally wakes up he will have to cope with the shattering reality of a life without legs - all because of a single knife wound. In yet another horrifying illustration of South London's appalling knife culture, Lewis was stabbed in the stomach in a petty row over a minicab. The blade tore through his liver and intestines and came perilously close to puncturing his heart. Worse still it severed arteries, halting the flow of blood to the fitness fanatic's lower body and forcing surgeons to take the drastic step of amputating both legs below the knee. As Millwall fan Lewis lay critically ill in hospital this week, his family became the latest to hit out at the increasingly casual use of knifes. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT Cousin and guardian Cydney Dirienzo, 34, said: "Anyone can go to their kitchen drawer and pick up a knife. "But if they want to see the horrifying consequences of using one, they should come and see Lewis. "Our proud young boy has lost his legs and almost his life,all because of a single stab wound. "He can't go to the gym or play football, he can't carry on with his job as a roofer. "You see people coming back from war zones with lesser injuries." She added: "Lewis is the kindest lad you could hope to meet. He's never done anything wrong. "But he's been carved into like a piece of meat. It makes me feel physically sick." Popular Lewis,from Lewisham, was stabbed outside a party in Rocastle Road, Brockley, when he tried to get back inside to call a cab, it is alleged. Medics held out little hope for the former Crofton Park pupil when he arrived at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, in the early hours of September 29. Cydney, among scores of family and friends keeping vigil at Lewis's hospital bedside,said: "For 48 hours he was the sickest boy in London. We were all prepared for the worst. "The doctors were 99.9 per cent sure he wouldn't survive. "But Lewis had age on his side.And thankfully his friend Matthew had pressed a T-shirt to his wounds which saved his life. "Of course that was just the first battle.By the Monday his legs had turned blue, they were cold and rock hard and doctors had to amputate both before the blood poisoning killed him. "Lewis has barely opened his eyes since and he doesn't know about his legs. "I'm dreading the conversation. How do you tell a lad who has been stabbed in the stomach that he's lost his legs?" In a further tragic twist, Lewis's ordeal mirrors that of a close friend left wheelchair-bound after a motorcycle crash. "He was deeply effected by what happened to his friend John," added Cydney. "He told me,'If that was me,I wouldn't want to wake up'." Friends and family, including sister Melanie and disabled mum Carol, were joined in hospital this week by concerned Millwall stars Paul Robinson and Tom Brighton who paid Lewis a visit after the club heard of his plight. Lewis's devoted girlfriend Anna-Louise Tamborrino, 23, branded the knife culture "disgusting" and called for tougher sentences for those caught carrying blades. Her sister, Stefania, 24, added: "People who carry knives have no respect for life." The horrifying attack follows a string of stabbings and knife deaths across South London. Grandmother Carmelita Tulloch was killed last month in Wickham Street, Kennington, as she walked to work. And Mark Murphy, 38, was three months away from becoming a dad when he was stabbed to death at a house in Bournevale Road, Streatham, on August 22. John Opie, 26, was fatally knifed in Delawyk Crescent, Herne Hill, on the same day and schoolboy Alex Mulumba was fatally stabbed in Black Prince Road, Kennington, in June. Information on the attack on Lewis at 2.45am on September 30 to Lewisham CID on 020 8284 8304 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. * Porter Nabil Zerouak,36, of Lowth Road, Camberwell, is in custody charged with grievous bodily harm.

13-10-2006, 16:58	#2
Dazballer Banned User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: A quiet Canadian spot. Posts: 1,949	* Porter Nabil Zerouak,36, of Lowth Road, Camberwell, is in custody charged with grievous bodily harm. Why not attempted murder?

13-10-2006, 17:05	#3
Mr Poetic Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,533	my thoughts exactly. if you stab someone ypu are trying to kill them

13-10-2006, 17:16	#4
yBSy Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 2,200	I think metal knives should be banned. All metal knives should be replaced with plastic ones. Unlocked kitchen draws are so dangerous because they're at an easy height for children to reach.