Father stabbed to death buying milk

A young father escaped persecution in Turkey only to be stabbed to death on the streets of London.

Imam Ortac, a 30-year-old father of two, was knifed as he went out to buy milk for his daughter's bedtime drink.

The attack took place only minutes after a 70-year-old man was also stabbed while waiting at a nearby bus stop.

Both men were taken to Middlesex Hospital but Mr Ortac was pronounced dead the next morning.

A Kurd, he escaped persecution in Turkey and came to Britain to make a new life.

He brought his wife Hatice, 29, and their children Elif, five, and two-year-old Ezgi to Britain four years ago. Mr Ortac, from Tottenham, was unemployed and had recently been given leave to stay in Britain indefinitely as an asylum seeker.

Scotland Yard believe the killer is local to the Tottenham High Road area where the attacks happened on Friday night.

Officers appealed for witnesses to come forward to help them find the attacker, who is described as black, in his twenties and about 6ft tall.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Freeman, who is in charge of the investigation, described the attacks as "unprovoked and needless".

"These were two vicious attacks," he said.

"They have left two young children without their father," Mr Freeman said.

The second man, who is Jamaican, was released from hospital on Saturday and is recovering at home.

The suspect was last seen running away from Argyle Passage in Argyle Road at about 10pm. He was wearing a beige anorak-type coat, possibly three-quarter length, with a hood, and darker trousers. Anyone with any information is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555