Family of man left in a coma after Brixton assault appeal for help

The family of a man left with life-changing injuries following an assault in Brixton have spoken about the challenges he now faces.

Police have renewed their appeal for the public’s help to find those responsible.

Shortly after midnight on Saturday, December 3, police were called to Ferndale Road after a man was found injured.

On arrival, they found Marco Pannone, an Italian national who was 25 at the time, with a head injury.

Marco had been working at the Canova Hall pizza restaurant in Ferndale Road. At around 11.10pm, he was approached by two men who spoke to him.

One of the men then punched Marco in the face outside the restaurant, resulting in him falling to the ground and hitting his head on the pavement. The assault appears to have been unprovoked.

The men then ran off towards Nursery Road.

Marco’s sister, Veronica, said: “Marco was attacked on December 2. From this attack he had to undergo emergency surgery and was in a coma for 11 days.

“When he woke from this, he slowly began to make some progress. Sadly, on December 26, he suffered a haemorrhage and urgently needed a second surgery and since this operation he has returned to intensive care.

“He has started the rehabilitation process for the second time, but now he faces more difficulties and problems along the way.

“My family and I have been here since December 5, in a country we don’t know, and surrounded by a language we don’t speak.

“We are here for Marco, to be close to him and to give him the strength he needs to recover. This situation is difficult for us as a family and we are scared of the obstacles we still have to face.”

Detectives from the local policing team in London have carried out several enquiries, including a review of CCTV from the area.

Detective Constable Edward Cartwright said: “As a result of this incident, Marco, a young man, has been left with life-changing injuries which resulted in him being kept in hospital over the Christmas period.

“Both him and his family are struggling to come to terms with the impact of the assault and will need time to process what has happened.

“We need to find the person responsible for this unprovoked attack, and I am asking the public to help. If you have any information, you can call police or Crimestoppers anonymously. If you have any information, please do come forward.”

Anyone who can help the investigation is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 85/03Dec22. To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Pictured top: CCTV footage of two men running from the scene of the assault (Picture: The Met)