UPDATE: Scotland Yard looking for ‘number of suspects’ in second attack

LONDON // An Emirati and his wife were attacked in their London apartment by masked robbers early Tuesday, in the second such attack on UAE nationals in the city this month.

A seven-member gang broke down the door of the flat at about 1.30am, armed with guns, knives and hammers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The robbers threatened the family and took their money, jewellery and credit cards.

One of the robbers threatened to shoot the husband after he removed the mask of another. The gang fled when they heard sirens.

Abdulrahman Ghanim Al Mutaiwi, the UAE Ambassador to the UK, said neighbours alerted police who immediately launched an investigation and found some of the stolen items.

Mr Al Mutaiwi stressed that the couple were fine.

The UAE Embassy in the UK is monitoring the situation on the orders of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The family has been moved to another location in London.

On Sunday, April 6, three Emirati sisters were attacked in their London hotel room by a man with a hammer.

Ohoud Al Najjar, 34, lost her left eye and has only 5 per cent brain function. Her sister, Khuloud, 36, suffered two skull fractures, a broken left arm and a fractured cheekbone.

The third victim, Fatima, 31, has a fractured skull and a ruptured left eardrum.

Philip Spence, 32, appeared in court and was charged with three counts of attempted murder and one of aggravated burglary.

Thomas Efremi, 56, was charged with handling stolen goods and fraud by false representation, while James Moss, 33, was also charged with handling stolen goods.

The next hearing will take place at Southwark Crown Court on July 3.

newsdesk@thenational.ae

* As a result of an editing error, the names of two of the three Emirati sisters attacked at the Cumberland Hotel in London were transposed in an earlier version of this article. Ohoud Al Najjar, 34, the middle daughter is in a coma, not Khuloud Al Najjar.