FAMILY ROW LED TO NANDO’S KNIFING
MAN ATTACKED ESTRANGED WIFE’S NEW BOYFRIEND
A MAN stabbed his estranged wife’s new boyfriend in a Leicester branch of Nando’s, writes Adrian Troughton.
Alysah Samuel, 21, pleaded guilty this week at Leicester Crown Court to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article.
He attacked his 22-year-old victim in front of diners in the Highcross branch of Nando’s on January 4.
Police said Samuel had arranged to meet his estranged wife, but when the conversation started to become difficult, she sent a text to a friend for help and the message was passed on to her boyfriend. When he arrived, Samuel stabbed him.
Restaurant staff who locked the door to stop Samuel leaving were praised by police, as were members of the public who gave first aid that may have saved the victim’s life.
A MAN stabbed his estranged wife’s new boyfriend when he went to her aid in a Leicester branch of Nando’s.
Police have disclosed the chain of events that led to Alysah Samuel stabbing his 22-year-old victim in front of Saturday night diners and staff at Nando’s, in the Highcross shopping centre, in Leicester.
Alysah Samuel, 21, pleaded guilty this week at Leicester Crown Court to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article.
Detectives said on January 4, Samuel arranged to meet his estranged wife in Nando’s.
The conversation started to become difficult so the wife texted a friend for help and this message was relayed to her new boyfriend, who arrived at the restaurant at 10pm.
As he entered the premises, the boyfriend was approached by Samuel, who made a verbal threat before lunging at him and stabbing him with a knife.
The victim suffered a cut to his upper arm and a small stab wound to his chest.
Immediately after the incident, while the victim was being tended to by members of the public outside, restaurant staff locked the doors to stop Samuel from fleeing.
Officers were at the location within minutes and arrested Samuel, of Gresley Close, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, as he attempted to make his escape through the back of the restaurant.
A flick knife, which was identified as the knife Samuel was holding, was found in the rear service yard.
Detective Constable Louise Osborne said the victim was very lucky to have not been more seriously injured.
She said: “The knife caused an arterial bleed and the victim lost a significant amount of blood, which required emergency surgery to stop the bleeding.
“There is the possibility that without the excellent first aid and assistance he received at the scene by members of the public and the police officers, he may not have survived.
“Those that came to his aid that night must be recognised for what they did.
“The quick-thinking actions of the restaurant staff must also be acknowledged for the part they played in this incident.
“In their efforts to help detain the suspect, they locked him in the premises with themselves, disregarding their immediate safety.
“It may well may that without their assistance and the swift response from officers on the scene, Samuel may not have been apprehended so quickly.”
“This was an isolated incident and while occurrences such as this are not normally seen in restaurants in our city, I appreciate it did cause some concern, especially to those who were in Leicester that night.
“Our dedication in the prompt arrest of the suspect, commitment in bringing the offender before the courts and seeking justice for the victim reflects this.”
Judge Ebraham Mooncey, sitting at Leicester Crown Court, adjourned sentencing to a later date.