13 September 2023 , 08:09
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A shopkeeper has said he regrets seizing a woman by the throat after a huge protest erupted over footage of the incident.
Peckham Hair and Cosmetics closed yesterday afternoon when protestors arrived after a clip of a man, believed to be shop owner Sohail Sindho, with his hands around a woman’s throat was shared online. The video shows a man appearing to tighten his hands around her throat as she was escorted from the building.
As she attempted to get away from the much larger man, he is seen pinning her arms behind her back. The female victim is heard saying: “Call the police, call the police, call the police. This boy, this man just strangled me. Get off me, get the f*** off me.”
Mr Sindho has since claimed that a row broke out over a 'no refunds policy' on some hair products, when the woman allegedly took some items from the shelves and tried to walk out. Speaking to TV presenter and reporter Antoine Allen, Mr Sindho said: "Choking means like… it looks like I'm choking her.
A clip of a man, believed to be shop owner Sohail Sindho, with his hands around a woman’s throat was shared online"It's not choking - at the moment one hand was at the back. I was like, detaining her." He added: "I definitely have regrets, that's why I'm talking to you. When I told the police officer I didn't want to press charges, these are the regrets at that time."
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On whether he would act the same way if he could go back in time, he said: "No I wouldn't behave the same. I just wanted to keep her inside. It wasn't intentional." And addressing how he would react if he saw the same happen to his wife or daughter, he continued: "I would react the same way that people are reacting.
"The second thing I need to think about, I should ask my daughter what she has done, 'have you done something'." The video was filmed by Edilenny Douteo, 18, who had been visiting the shop to buy some hair products and started filming when she saw the man get aggressive during an argument.
Mr Sindho said he has regrets over his behaviour (@AntoineSpeaker/Twitter)She said: "I went to the shop to buy some products with my friend. And I saw the lady, they were shouting at each other from the beginning. She was asking for a refund and they told her that is not possible. So she went to the shop and she told them that if you're not gonna get my refund, I want to get what I'm supposed to get for my money."
“When she tried to leave the shop and then the guy pushed her. He pushed her out and then he became aggressive. I saw everything but I didn't record from the beginning because I was like, yeah, he's not gonna do anything because she's a woman. She's like, my size, 5’2 / 5’3. So he's not gonna do anything.
"Then I saw the guy becoming aggressive, and he has strangled her very, very badly. As you can see in the video. He has strangled her and he dragged her into the shop and she tried to take him away from her but she couldn't." In response, a large crowd of people gathered outside the shop yesterday, which shut in advance as news spread of the planned demonstration on social media.
Edilenny Douteo, 18, who saw the altercation speaks during a demonstration (Thabo Jaiyesimi/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)They were filmed chanting “shut it down” as anger at the video continues to grow. A second protest is planned outside the shop on Saturday. A spokesperson for the Met Police initially said officers were called to the shop on Monday following reports a 31-year-old woman tried to steal items and an employee prevented her from leaving.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of assault and later bailed pending further enquiries. It is understood that the shopkeeper has decided not to press charges. In an updated statement this morning, the force said a 45-year-old man has been interviewed under caution and enquiries are ongoing.
A force spokesperson said: "After footage of an altercation in a Rye Lane store was shared on social media, an investigation was launched by officers from the Central South Command. The incident, at a cosmetics store, took place on Monday, 11 September and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
"Following initial enquiries a 45-year-old man was interviewed under caution on Wednesday, 13 September. A 31-year-old woman arrested on Tuesday, 12 September has been released on bail." Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, the Met's local policing commander for Southwark, said: "I would like to thank local people for their patience as we work to establish the full circumstances around the allegations made.
In response to the clip, a large crowd of people gathered outside the shop yesterday (Thabo Jaiyesimi/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)"We continue to examine various clips of footage that depict small sections of the wider incident a nd are working to establish what offences were committed and by whom. My officers will be patrolling Rye Lane today to provide reassurance to the community – I know that this incident will cause concern and I urge anyone who is worried to speak with their local policing team or with officers on patrol."
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Sadiq Khan said last night: "I know Londoners are concerned by the recent events in a shop in Peckham. I'm in touch with the Met Police and am urgently seeking further information."
Anyone who witnessed the incident but hasn't yet spoken to police is urged to call 101 quoting CAD 3943/11Sep.