DRIVER WHO MOWED DOWN KNIFEMAN IS RELEASED BY POLICE
No charges against ‘hero’ Abraham
A MAN who drove his car into a knife attacker in a desperate bid to stop him killing a mother of two has been released by police without charge.
The man, known only as Abraham, had been arrested after running over Leon McCaskie, 41, as he stabbed his ex Yasmin Chkaifi, 43, to death in broad daylight on the morning of January 24.
McCaskie died of multiple injuries at the scene in Maida Vale, West London, while Yasmin died of stab wounds.
In a statement released by his lawyer after his release, Abraham, 26, said he was “grateful” police had “taken this sensible course of action”.
Met Police said they had reviewed the law around self-defence and defence of another, and now considered Abraham “a vital witness” rather than a suspect.
More than 75,000 people had signed a petition to stop the driver being charged and Yasmin’s family were also reported to have hailed him as “a hero”.
In his statement, Abraham said: “I once again wish to express my gratitude to the British public.
“I hope that in my actions a message has been sent to society: should you see an evil it is a duty upon you to stop it with your hands, if you cannot then you should stop it by speaking out, if you cannot then at the very least you should hate it with your heart.”
A number of people tried unsuccessfully to stop McCaskie before Abraham drove into him with his blue Renault.
Yasmin’s inquest opened yesterday at Westminster Coroner’s Court, attended through videolink by her husband Joseph Salmon and two sons.
DCI Neil Rawlinson said: “Yasmin Chkaifi and Leon McCaskie had been in a relationship that ended several years ago.”
He said there had been “allegations of domestic abuse” and a Stalking Prevention Order was issued against McCaskie, but a warrant had been issued for his arrest after he breached the order. DCI Rawlinson said: “The two parties lived very close to one another in the Maida Vale area. On Monday, January 24, 2022, at about 9am, Leon accosted Yasmin in the street and repeatedly stabbed her with a knife.
“A member of the public in a passing car saw this and used his vehicle to drive into Leon in an attempt to stop the assault. Both Leon and Yasmin were declared deceased at the scene.
“The driver of the car, a 26-year-old man, will face no further police action.” The inquest into McCaskie’s death was opened and adjourned in a separate hearing yesterday.
Should you see an evil it is a duty upon you to stop it
DRIVER ABRAHAM WHO TRIED TO STOP STABBING
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