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London hotel hammer attacks: Philip Spence guilty London hotel hammer attacks: Philip Spence guilty
(35 minutes later)
A man who beat three sisters with a claw hammer in a London hotel while their children slept alongside them has been found guilty of attempted murder.A man who beat three sisters with a claw hammer in a London hotel while their children slept alongside them has been found guilty of attempted murder.
Philip Spence, 32, bludgeoned the trio from the United Arab Emirates in the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, on 6 April, Southwark Crown Court heard.Philip Spence, 32, bludgeoned the trio from the United Arab Emirates in the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, on 6 April, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Spence had admitted the attack, but denied attempted murder.Spence had admitted the attack, but denied attempted murder.
One of his victims was hit with such force her skull split open. She was not expected to make a full recovery. One of his victims was hit with such force her skull split open. She was left with just 5% brain function
'Lost eye' Lost eye
Ohoud Al-Najjar, 34, was repeatedly hit as her nine-year-old nephew hid under the sheets next to her in bed, the prosecutor Simon Mayo QC said.Ohoud Al-Najjar, 34, was repeatedly hit as her nine-year-old nephew hid under the sheets next to her in bed, the prosecutor Simon Mayo QC said.
She survived the attack, but despite undergoing emergency neurosurgery she was left with just 5% brain function, can no longer speak and lost one eye. She survived the attack, but despite undergoing emergency neurosurgery she can no longer speak and lost one eye.
Her sisters Khulood, 36, and Fatima, 31, were also left with life threatening injuries and are still having medical treatment.Her sisters Khulood, 36, and Fatima, 31, were also left with life threatening injuries and are still having medical treatment.
The family was visiting London on holiday.The family was visiting London on holiday.
Thomas Efremi, 57, from Islington, was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary. Spence, from Harlesden in north-west London, was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, as was Thomas Efremi, 57, from Islington.
Spence, from Harlesden in north-west London, was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary. Judge Anthony Leonard QC told Spence he could face life in prison for the attacks.
The judge told Spence he could face life in prison for the attacks. 'Blood everywhere'
Judge Anthony Leonard QC said: "You, Mr Spence, must realise that any sentence I impose is bound to be a very substantial sentence, subject to the report I receive." The court heard the women had left their hotel rooms unlocked on the night of the attack to allow a fourth sister to return.
The two men were remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 17 November at Southwark Crown Court. Spence was spotted by one of the sisters rifling through handbags at around 01:30 BST.
He then attacked Khulood as she shared a bed with her two young daughters, and turned his hammer on her sister Fatima, leaving them both unconscious, the court heard.
The fourth sister Sheika Al-Mheiri described to the jury how she returned to find her sisters injured on the floor with "blood everywhere".
Spence ran from the scene with a suitcase containing iPads, gold jewellery and mobile phones.
He dumped the claw hammer just outside the four-star hotel.
Cdr Mak Chishty, from the Met Police, said Spence's attack had "changed the lives of a family forever".
He said: "The level of violence Spence chose to use was extraordinary, and completely unnecessary for him to steal, as he had set out to do that night."