The have-a-go hero driver who drove right into a knifeman who was stabbing to demise a mother-of-two as we speak claimed his 'instantaneous thought was to guard the girl 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 as we speak as 'Abraham' - who intervened by ploughing into him in Maida Vale, West London.
Buddies of the driving force have described how he has been 'residing 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 legal expenses - and kinfolk and associates 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 way of his lawyer Mohammed Akunjee, Abraham has stated: 'I witnessed a person repeatedly stabbing a defenceless girl on the pavement a brief distance in entrance of my automotive.
'Members of the general public had been making an attempt to intervene. The attacker was wielding a knife and was threatening these courageous residents too. My instantaneous thought was to guard the girl 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 direction of the attacker as a way to get him away from the girl he was attacking. I didn't intend to hurt the attacker. I solely supposed to guard these being attacked.'
Full assertion from Maida Vale driver
'Press launch, 26 January 2022.
He continued: 'My car struck the attacker and he was taken underneath my automotive, inflicting it to stall. I couldn't reverse my automotive to free him. I and the opposite passers-by tried to raise the automotive away from the attacker so we may present the person with first support.
'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 wished 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 girl involved.'
Abraham added that he had requested Mr Akunjee to request that the Metropolitan Police now de-arrest him and as a substitute deal with him 'as a witness to a tragic occasion relatively than as a legal as they at present are'.
He stated: 'I perceive that the police are doing their job and that my being arrested shouldn't 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 contemplate de-arresting me and start treating me as a witness to a tragic occasion relatively than as a legal as they at present are.'
Buddies of the driving force, who was heard saying 'what have I performed?', yesterday revealed that the electrician continues to be in shock.
One, who didn't wish to be named, stated: 'If he ever sees anybody in bother he'll at all times attempt to assist. He could not bear to see the girl being attacked.'
The Met Police stated 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 dealing with an investigation itself into the assault after it emerged that the pressure was repeatedly warned about former firm director Mr Mccaskie's abusive behaviour.
A pal yesterday stated 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 stated: '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, informed associates that she had gone to police concerning 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 referring to 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 stated that officers had been contacted quite a few instances 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 can open an investigation into Scotland Yard's dealing with of the case after the pressure referred itself.
