Updated: Man robbed outside Southend casino (From Echo)

Updated: Man robbed outside Southend casino

5:00pm Tuesday 7th July 2009

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A GAMBLER was robbed of at least £10,000 outside a casino, after being threatened by two thugs with an iron bar.

The attack happened after the man left Maxims Casino, in Western Esplanade, Westcliff, and walked to his car, which was parked nearby, to get more cash.

He was bending over to open the boot of his car when two robbers grabbed him from behind and pushed him to the ground.

One of the robbers brandished an iron bar in his face and demanded he hand over the money.

They took at least £10,000, and then fled up the grassy slope towards Clifftown Parade.

The victim, in his 40s, from Westcliff, shouted for help and one of the door staff from the casino gave chase.

Det Con Nick Brunton, of Southend CID, said: “He started to chase them, but they had too much of a head start. They dropped a little bit of cash on the way, which has been recovered, but they got away with a five-figure sum.”

Detectives want to speak to anyone who saw the attack, at the parking bays in the middle of Western Esplanade, at 2am on Monday.

Det Con Brunton said: “This incident happened in a busy part of Western Esplanade and was close to the front of the casino.

“The man had just walked back to his car and had opened the boot when two men ran down the steep, grass slope and attacked him. When they fled, they ran back up the slope to Clifftown Parade.

“We want to hear from anyone who saw the robbery or saw the men running from and to a car, possibly dark-coloured, parked at Clifftown Parade.”

Police are searching for two black men who were wearing black clothing. One was about 5ft 11ins tall and the other was about 5ft 9ins.

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Brunton, at Southend CID, on 0300 3334444.

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