The have-a-go hero driver who drove right into a knifeman who was stabbing to demise a mother-of-two at the moment claimed his ‘on the spot thought was to guard the lady who was being stabbed’ as he spoke out for the primary time.
Yasmin Wafah Chkaifi, 43, died after the horrific assault by Leon Mccaskie, 41, regardless of the efforts of the motorist – named for the primary time at the moment as ‘Abraham’ – who intervened by ploughing into him in Maida Vale, West London.
Buddies of the driving force have described how he has been ‘dwelling a nightmare’ for the reason that incident. He was arrested on suspicion of homicide after he drove his Renault Clio into the attacker in a determined try to cease the carnage.
Greater than 8,000 folks have signed a petition calling for him to not face prison costs – and family members and mates of Miss Chkaifi have referred to as for the police probe to be dropped and for him to be honoured for his bravery.
Now, in an announcement issued on Twitter in a single day by means of his lawyer Mohammed Akunjee, Abraham has mentioned: ‘I witnessed a person repeatedly stabbing a defenceless lady on the pavement a brief distance in entrance of my automobile.
‘Members of the general public had been trying to intervene. The attacker was wielding a knife and was threatening these courageous residents too. My on the spot thought was to guard the lady who was being stabbed and the general public who had been additionally being threatened. The automobiles forward of me moved off, which gave me the chance to intervene.
‘I drove my car in the direction of the attacker with a view to get him away from the lady he was attacking. I didn’t intend to hurt the attacker. I solely meant to guard these being attacked.’
He continued: ‘My car struck the attacker and he was taken underneath my automobile, inflicting it to stall. I couldn’t reverse my automobile to free him. I and the opposite passers-by tried to raise the automobile away from the attacker so we may present the person with first help.
‘Sadly we had been unsuccessful with this and I’ve since realized that each the younger woman and her attacker have died. I’m deeply sorry that the person I attempted to cease from attacking different folks has died.
‘It was by no means my intention to hurt him, I simply needed to cease him from hurting anyone additional . My solely remorse is that God didn’t permit me to be current on the scene sooner in order that my intervention might have saved the lifetime of the younger lady involved.’
Abraham added that he had requested Mr Akunjee to request that the Metropolitan Police now de-arrest him and as an alternative deal with him ‘as a witness to a tragic occasion slightly than as a prison as they at the moment are’.
He mentioned: ‘I perceive that the police are doing their job and that my being arrested will not be uncommon. Nevertheless, I don’t see why I as the one that tried to help within the defence of different human beings stay arrested and on bail underneath suspicion of homicide.
‘I’ve requested my solicitor to contact the Metropolitan Police to request that they think about de-arresting me and start treating me as a witness to a tragic occasion slightly than as a prison as they at the moment are.’
Buddies of the driving force, who was heard saying ‘what have I accomplished?’, yesterday revealed that the electrician continues to be in shock.
One, who didn’t need to be named, mentioned: ‘If he ever sees anybody in hassle he’ll at all times attempt to assist. He could not bear to see the lady being attacked.’
The Met Police mentioned the driving force had been ‘totally co-operative’ after he was arrested on suspicion of homicide following the incident. He has been bailed till a date in late February whereas proof is evaluated.
The Metropolitan Police is now going through an investigation itself into the assault after it emerged that the drive was repeatedly warned about former firm director Mr Mccaskie’s abusive behaviour.
A good friend yesterday mentioned how Miss Chkaifi grew involved that her ex-husband would attempt to kill her in April 2020 after she realized that he was spying on her.
In messages to Adele-Sara Richards, Miss Chkaifi mentioned: ‘He is had cameras in my home recording me for months. He is stolen my mail, my telephone, has entry to all my private information. I feel he’ll kill me.’
Miss Chkaifi, who had two sons aged 16 and 18, instructed mates that she had gone to police in regards to the incident and {that a} warrant had been issued for his arrest.
The mature pupil secured a restraining order towards Mr Mccaskie after the breakdown of their two-year marriage and even had a panic alarm fitted in her flat.
A warrant for his arrest was issued simply three weeks in the past after he failed to show up for a courtroom listening to regarding a breach of the stalking order.
One in every of Miss Chkaifi’s sons accused the Met of doing too little to guard his mom and mentioned that officers had been contacted quite a few occasions about Mr Mccaskie’s harassment.
Mr Mccaskie was convicted of obstructing a police officer and driving with out insurance coverage in 2017.
The Unbiased Workplace for Police Conduct watchdog is now deciding if it should open an investigation into Scotland Yard’s dealing with of the case after the drive referred itself.
Mohammed Akunjee, lawyer for the Maida Vale driver who’s an electrician identified solely as ‘Abraham’, provides an announcement at the moment
This press assertion was issued on Twitter in a single day by the Maida Vale driver’s lawyer Mohammed Akunjee