Father 'beaten to death with metal chair in row over snooker table'

A father was reportedly beaten to death with a chair in a fight over a snooker table at a cafe in north London.

Police launched a murder investigation when Mohamed Hersi, 40, died in hospital on Wednesday (29 November), having been attacked while drinking tea in Bethel Cafe in Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park.

Police were called to the cafe at around 10pm on Tuesday and found Hersi with "life-threatening" injuries.

Hersi, who recently quit his job as a London hotel kitchen porter to care for his elderly father, was attacked when he complained about players jumping the queue for a snooker table, the Evening Standard reported.

After a fight broke out he was hit with a metal chair, fell to the floor and hit his head, his family told the newspaper.

His wife, Barlin Ali, 36, said: "He was the best husband and father you could ask for."

She added: "It is vitally important that anyone who saw what happened comes forward because the person who did this should not be on the streets.

"No other family should suffer this. Please come forward if you know anything and speak to police. We want justice for Mohamed because I have lost such a loving man."

The Met Police has appealed for witnesses to come forward. Detectives said no arrests have been made so far.

Hersi's sister-in-law, Mariam Ali, 37, said: "Mohamed was a peaceful man. He would always say to us to not worry and 'enjoy the moment'.

"Those were his favourite words. He was a lovely person and a good father. He was so happy around his children."

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3865 or via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also tweet information to police via @MetCC.