The driver had ‘tried to save the life’ of a woman who was being stabbed
A driver who crashed into a knifeman in an attempt to stop him from stabbing a woman to death in west London will face no further action, police announced on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old, known only as Abraham, was arrested on suspicion of murder after he hit and killed Leon McCaskre in Maida Vale last Monday.
The 41-year-old had repeatedly stabbed his ex-wife, 43-year-old Yasmin Chkaifi, when the man crashed into him.
Both died at the scene.
The Met confirmed the driver has been released with no further action after officers reviewed the law around self-defence and defence of another.
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.”
Rawlinson said the man is considered a “vital witness” to the police investigation and will be offered support to help him “come to terms with the terrifying situation he was confronted with”.
He added: “It is vitally important that when a person dies there is a thorough investigation into all of the circumstances and this has taken place. Such decisions must be thoroughly examined and while this process takes time this has been a priority for my team.”
Inquests have been opened into the deaths of both Chkaifi and McCaskre and appeals for witnesses continue, Rawlinson added.
Chkaifi was stabbed multiple times in Chippenham Road around 9am and was unable to be saved despite passers-by trying to intervene to stop the attack. McCaskre was then said to have been struck by a car.
Jiyad Raad told The Independent last week that he heard Chkaifi screaming for help and saw McCaskre stabbing her: “I see him three to four times stab her with the knife in the neck.”
Radd said he tried to intervene before the knifeman stabbed Chkaifi “two to three times” more. The knifeman was then hit by the car, he said, adding: “The driver tried to save the girl.”
Police, ambulance crews, and the fire service, who freed McCaskre from underneath the car, were all called to the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood praised members of the public for “bravely” trying to intervene and stop the “terrible incident”.
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