Peckham shopkeeper at centre of 'choking' row reveals he has gone into hiding
The owner of a hair and beauty store which is at the centre of a "choking" row has revealed that he has gone into hiding over fears for his family's safety.
Sohail Sindho, 45, says he has been forced to pull his three sons out of school following growing protests at his Peckham Hair and Cosmetics store. It comes after a video went viral of an altercation between him and a female customer which turned violent.
In the footage, he could be seen putting his hands around her neck as they argued over a refund. He was also seen holding her arms behind her back while she begged customers to alert the police.
On Tuesday, hundreds of protesters called for his business to be closed down as they stood outside his store with placards. Another set of demonstrators arrived outside the store the following day to continue their calls for action.
Mr Sindho said he wanted the public to know that he was "only trying to restrain her" and agreed that he shouldn't have done it.
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Sohail Sindho has faced backlash following an altercation inside his store (@AntoineSpeaker/Twitter)As he showed the scars under his eye and on his shoulder, he told MailOnline : "If it wasn’t for my wife and three children I would walk right to the shop and out to the street and talk to the people, because I am very sorry about what happened. I want them to know that I was only trying to restrain her. I didn’t mean to put my hands around her throat, and it was only for a few seconds. I do agree that I should not have done that. But I was trying to protect myself as she was hitting me as the video shows."
Mr Sindho was hit with allegations that the incident was racially motivated after the video surfaced online. The businessman said he received several death threats including hate calls from as far as America. He has since denied the racial allegations and said it is "absolutely not the truth." He further said that he is "happy" to work and live in a "multicultural place" and considered the majority of his customers as "family."
Hundreds of people turned up to the store in protest (MyLondon/BPM)He pointed out that the row was over three £7.99 wigs and said the lady wanted a refund. But he highlighted that her receipt showed that refunds were not available but he tried to offer her an exchange. Mr Sindho and the woman involved were both arrested and released on bail. He said he told the police that he didn't want the woman to be charged. He added that it was "nothing more" than the "heat of the moment."
Met Police issued a statement and said: “After footage of an altercation in a Rye Lane store was shared on social media, an investigation was launched by officers from the Central South Command. The incident, at a cosmetics store, took place on Monday, 11 September and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances. Following initial enquiries a 45-year-old man was interviewed under caution on Wednesday, 13 September. A 31-year-old woman arrested on Tuesday, 12 September has been released on bail.”
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