Ex-student jailed for 15 years for ‘ferocious’ knife attack on police

‘If you attack police officers you are not going to get away with it and there are consequences’

A FORMER university student was yesterday jailed for 15 years after he carried out a “ferocious” knife attack on police officers lured by a fake 999 call.

Alex Traykov, 20, lashed out at the officers who had responded to his report of a fight at a house in Islington, north London, on October 6 last year.

Following an Old Bailey trial, he was cleared of attempted murder but convicted of three counts of wounding with intent and a fourth charge of attempted wounding with intent.

Sentencing, Judge Wendy Joseph QC said it was a “truly terrifying incident” that lasted 20 seconds.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC told how Traykov attacked the four officers without hesitation or warning.

Traykov was caught on CCTV bringing the blade down onto the head of Pc Istarlin Said-ali, 31, cutting her raised hand.

He lunged at Pc Rafal Kedziora, 34, cutting his face and slashing the back of his neck.

The 20-year-old turned on Pc Ben Thomson, 40, before Pc Launa Watkins, 39, Tasered him twice.

Giving evidence, Traykov, who lived with his estate agent mother in Redhill, Surrey, accepted he had injured the officers, but denied he meant them serious harm.

The former Winchester University history student said he was so “high” on strong cannabis he was not thinking straight.

The four police officers became emotional as they read out victim impact statements in court.

Pc Kedziora told the court he never expected he would have to fight for his life and considered himself “lucky”, despite being stabbed in the face and neck.

Pc Said-ali said she was left “insecure, scared and anxious going outside, especially in the dark” while Pc Thomson told of the “unseen mental injury” to him and his colleagues from the “ferocious” attack.

Speaking outside court, Det Insp Kate Stannard said: “I’m pleased that the sentence reflects the gravity of the offences.

“If you attack police officers you are not going to get away with it and there are consequences.”