Police are hunting a suspect who stabbed a dog walker 19 times with a screwdriver near the Olympic Park during a “horrific” attack.
Tom Savage, 36, was exersing pet Ichigo when he was approached by a stranger on Elis Way, East Village, Stratford at about 9.10pm on August 19.
After asking the man if he lived in the area, he was told “I don’t like you very much” before the attacker lifted up his shirt to reveal the handle of his weapon.
The victim was treated in hospital over several weeks for life-changing injuries to his head, abdomen and back.
Mr Savage told the Newham Recorder earlier this month: “He looked angry. He had his hood up, he didn’t blink - he just looked really angry.
“I knew as soon as I saw him lift his shirt up, I knew that I was in trouble – I knew immediately that something pretty bad was going to happen.
“I managed to run kind of like another ten metres maybe and shouted for help a couple of times. “I think twice was all I managed to do before he managed to grab me again.
“He threw me to the floor. As soon as that happened, whether it was him throwing me or what, I felt kind of from my upper chest down went completely cold.
“I couldn’t move so my legs at that point just were not working. I remember trying to get up and I couldn’t get up.”
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Mr Savage said his attacker tried to stab him as he lay on the ground protecting his head and neck.
Police received multiple calls reporting an assault that had occurred.
Detectives have launched an urgent public appeal and released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to following the violent attack in east London.
He was last seen getting off an Elizabeth line train at Whitechapel on the night.
Enquiries have been ongoing, including analysis of footage and forensic evidence but police are yet to apprehend the suspect.
Detective Sergeant Simon Wheeler, from the Metropolitan Police’s local CID, said: “We continue to investigate this horrific assault and are urgently appealing to the public to help.
“We are in regular contact with the victim and are examining every avenue of opportunity to find the person responsible and bring him to justice.”
Stratford and Bow MP Uma Kumaran added: “Everyone should be able to feel safe and be safe near their homes, and I know that the whole community in East Village is still reeling from the shocking nature of this attack and the fact the attacker remains at large and unpunished.”
Anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting CAD 7524/19Aug, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
