Pensioner dies after robbery at north London post office cash machine

A pensioner has died after he was robbed while withdrawing money from a cash machine at a post office in north London.

Detectives have initiated a murder investigation after 76-year-old Jalal Shah was attacked in Enfield on October 30.

He sustained a head injury during the incident and subsequently passed away in hospital on Wednesday, November 19.

The post office where the assault allegedly took place – on High Street, Ponders End – is located just yards from his terraced home.

A police statement said: ‘The Metropolitan Police was called to High Street on Ponders End shortly after 11am on October 30 following reports of a robbery and assault.

‘Officers found 76-year-old Jalal Khan with head injuries.

‘He was transported to the hospital by the London Ambulance Service in a life-threatening condition.

‘He passed away in hospital on November 19.

‘His family is being supported by specialist officers and have requested privacy during this difficult time.’

Friends and neighbors of Jalal described him as a ‘lovely, kind-hearted, peaceful gentleman’ who was a regular at the local mosque.

Rasel Alam, owner of the Enfield Food Hall, told Metro: ‘He was the kindest, most peaceful gentleman you could ever meet.

‘He was always smiling and was a well-known and respected member of the community. We are all heartbroken. He was a regular at the mosque and a friend to everyone. We will miss him.’

A neighbor said: ‘He was a kind old gentleman and the perfect neighbor. It’s tragic to think that it happened so close to his home.’

A post office employee described how Jalal had been withdrawing money from the cash machine outside the shop when the alleged robbery occurred.

He said: ‘We would see him up and down the road all the time; he had his routine. He was well-known and a very kind man who never had any issues with anyone. It’s terrible that this happened to him. It occurred just outside. He hadn’t been inside the shop but was withdrawing cash.’

Police have collected CCTV and ring doorbell footage from the vicinity of the crime scene.

Jaesis Boatswain, 40, of Swan Walk in Enfield, has been charged with grievous bodily harm, assault, robbery, and threatening a person with a knife in relation to the incident.

He appeared at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on November 6 and was remanded into custody.

He is scheduled to appear next at Wood Green Crown Court on December 10.