A well-known London antiques dealer has thanked fans for their support after he was brutally attacked by hammer-wielding thugs who raided his Chelsea store.
Ian Towning’s Bourbon Hanby Arcade in Sydney Street, Chelsea, was targeted by robbers in broad daylight on March 26.
In an update on Instagram Mr Towning, known for his regular appearances as an antiques expert on TV shows, has said he was “smashed to bits” in the attack while his security guard was “hit so seriously on the head” he needed stitches.
Shocking footage shared by Mr Towning shows two men wearing balaclavas and armed with hammers running into his emporium, just off the King’s Road.
A security guard tries to intercept them, but he appears to be struck by the men, who then begin smashing open glass cabinets containing antiques.
They enter another room containing the counter and till, where they repeatedly strike Mr Towning before smashing open more cabinets. They then fled, reportedly making off with more than £100,000 worth of jewellery.
Photos showed Mr Towning with gashes to his head, and blood streaming down his face and chest in the aftermath of the assault.
Another photo showed his security guard with blood soaking the back of his t-shirt, and a deep gash to the back of his head.
Mr Towning, who has appeared on TV shows including Posh Pawn and Dickinson’s Real Deal, said on Instagram he was “in incredible pain” following the “brutal” attack.
“I find it very difficult to talk about the incident which saw myself and my security guard seriously injured,” he said in the post on March 31.
In an interview with the BBC, he revealed how the men broke his teeth and caused serious bruising to his chest with a sledgehammer.
“They’ve pushed me to the floor, they beat me up,” he said. “I got up, they’ve broken my teeth, they’ve damaged all my face.”
On Sunday, he shared an update in his first Instagram post in two months.
“First of all I have to say thank you to the 21,000+ people from around the globe who sent me amazing wishes of get well soon, for me and Mark who was hit so seriously on his head and had to have stitches,” he said.
“Me, it doesn’t matter - I’ve recovered very well. Smashed to bits, but doesn’t matter.”
He added that a new security system has been installed at Bourbon Hanby Arcade.
“Shutters that come down, electronic buzzers to let you in and out, just to make sure that all our clients are safe and well looked after when they enter the arcade,” he said. “All your jewellery that you leave with me is safe and sound - everything is well looked after.
“If you want to come into the arcade you’re in a very, very safe zone.”
He said he has been overwhelmed by support, adding: “I just don’t know how to say thank you.”
The Met Police have been approached by the Standard.
