The daughter of Strictly Come Dancing favourite and former Chelsea star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been left traumatised after a vicious machete attack and robbery on a London street.
Leyna Hasselbaink, 22, was ambushed by two assailants as she walked home in the capital. The thugs, one brandishing the terrifying blade, demanded she hand over her phone in a terrifying ordeal that has shaken the family to its core.
Her father, Jimmy, who is currently captivating the nation on the BBC's hit dance show, has spoken of his horror and the profound impact the violent crime has had on them all.
A Parent's Worst Nightmare
"As a father, it is your worst nightmare to get that call," the devastated former footballer revealed. The incident has cast a dark shadow over his Strictly experience, an adventure he had been thoroughly enjoying with his professional partner, Amy Dowden.
While the family are relieved that Leyna was not physically harmed, the psychological scars from such a brazen and violent attack run deep. The event highlights the alarming rise in street crime involving weapons, even in broad daylight.
A Call for Action
The attack has prompted a wider discussion about public safety and knife crime in UK cities. Hasselbaink's high profile has brought a stark and unfortunate spotlight onto an issue affecting countless families across the country.
Police are investigating the robbery, but the family's sense of security has been profoundly damaged. The footballing legend's focus has now sharply shifted from the glitterball trophy to the wellbeing of his daughter in the wake of this horrifying event.
