Evening Argus: Three men slashed at a dancehall 

15 November 1954

Three Brighton men were stabbed in a raid by a London gang. The attack took place in a bar attached to a dance hall. The wounded men are Richard Thompson, aged 19, of Osbourne-road; John Wadey, aged 20, of Devonshire-street and Basil Ferrari, aged 25, of Hornby-road. One of the men had his face cut open from forehead to chin and had to have 13 stitches in the wound. Another was stabbed in the back, and the third received a throat wound. Eye-witnesses told a reporter that the slashed men were sitting at a table when they were attacked. The leader of the attackers was described as being about 6ft tall, with thick blond hair and wearing a grey drape suit. A dance hall attendant grappled with him immediately afterwards and in the struggle a sharpened table knife was dropped. Because of the crowd of dancers and the uproar which ensued, it is not known at present how many men took part in the slashing. The blond man, conspicuous for his height and colouring, was chased by attendants and an angry crowd of dancers, but managed to make his escape. The three injured men were taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital, but after receiving treatment were able to go home.

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