Family describe father murdered in mugging as 'devoted family man'

The family of a devoted family man who was murdered after being mugged while leaving a bank have spoken of their grief.

Mahesh Mehta, 55, was due to take his family on a holiday to his birthplace in India just weeks after he was killed walking along Warwick Road in Thornton Heath.

His nephew Sagar Mehta, 23, said: “He was a very family orientated man. He would always go out of his way to help people in need.

“When he lived with his mother he would always take her and her friends food shopping, and if he was ever out and about and saw them he would pick them up and drop them home.

“He never really made a fuss. He was just really hard working and genuine.”

Mr Mehta came to the UK when he was a teenager and built the foundations for his family to come and join him. He was due to return to India for the first time in 30 years for his nephew’s wedding.

Just prior to the attack, Mr Mehta had visited the HSBC bank on the corner of London Road and Warwick Road.

He was taken by the London Ambulance Service to the Mayday Hospital with severe facial injuries after the attack on Monday October 19.

Mr Mehta subsequently died on Friday 13 November at St George's Hospital, Tooting.

Police were called at about 1.20pm to Warwick Road, close to the junction of London Road, Thornton Heath.

Mr Mehta’s family have recently returned from India where they travelled to scatter his ashes.

His nephew, Sagar Mehta said: “We are all very shocked about what happened, he was such a nice man and worked so hard, he didn’t deserve this."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Incident Room on 020 8721 4155, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Did you know Mr Mehta? Contact the newsdesk on 0208 330 9554 or leave a tribute below.

Posted in: World News