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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ryan Merrifield

Maida Vale stabbing: Driver who mowed down knifeman says it was 'duty to stop evil'

A vigilante driver who mowed down and killed a knife-wielding thug says it was his "duty" to stop evil.

Police have now dropped the charges against the 26-year-old, known only as Abraham, after he ploughed into Leon McCaskie, 41.

McCaskie was fatally knifing mum-of-two Yasmin Wafah Chkaifi, 43, in the street. on January 24.

Eyewitnesses claim to have heard the driver shout "what have I done" in the aftermath of the incident in Maida Vale, west London.

Abraham was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, before being released on bail.

The Met has now confirmed he will face no further action.

In a statement posted on his lawyer Mohammed Akunjee's Twitter page yesterday, Abraham said he was pleased that the force had "taken this sensible course of action".

Leon McCaskre (REX/Shutterstock)
Yasmin was pronounced dead the scene (Yasmin Chkaifi/Twitter)

He said: "I am grateful that they have taken this sensible course of action. I will, of course, continue to assist them and any coroner's inquest should the need arise.

"I once again want to express my gratitude to the British public who supported me so vocally at this most stressful and trying time.

"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."

Thousands of people had signed a petition in support of the driver, and members of Yasmin's family were also reported to have hailed him as "a hero".

The Met said it had reviewed CCTV of the incident and spoken to witnesses before making its decision.

Metropolitan Police officers in a forensic suit at the scene on Chippenham Road, Maida Vale (PA)

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rawlinson, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Having reviewed the CCTV evidence and taken statements of numerous members of the public and attending officers, as well as reviewing the legal position regarding self-defence and defence of another, a decision has been taken that the driver of the car, a 26-year-old man will face no further police action.

“He is considered a vital witness to our investigation and will be offered support from professionals to help him come to terms with the terrifying situation he was confronted with.

“It is vitally important that when a person dies there is a thorough investigation into all of the circumstances and this has taken place.

Tributes were laid to Yasmin (TIM ANDERSON)

"Such decisions must be thoroughly examined and while this process takes time this has been a priority for my team. The man's legal advisors have been informed of this decision.

“Inquests have opened in relation to both deaths and my team will continue to work to provide evidence for the Coroner. We continue to appeal for witnesses to this incident who have yet to speak to police to come forward and do so.”

An inquest heard a warrant had been issued for McCaskie's arrest on January 4.

Yasmin's cause of death was given as multiple stab wounds, while McCaskie's was confirmed as multiple injuries.

At the brief hearing, DCI Rawlinson said the pair had been in a relationship that ended several years ago, reports The Sun.

He added that there had been allegations of domestic abuse and a stalking prevention order was in place against McCaskie.

He was arrested for breaching the order but failed to appear in court, resulting in the arrest warrant.

Addressing Yasmin's relatives, Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox said: “This is a truly shocking and distressing death and I cannot imagine what you must be going through as a family at this time."

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