Clapham chemical attack: Woman in 50s ‘burnt both eyeballs’ as she tackled ‘fugitive Abdul Ezedi’ to save child’s life
Witnesses say the attacker was 'intent' on hurting the three-year-old
A GOOD Samaritan who tackled a chemical attack madman has been left with “burns to both eyeballs” after she helped a woman and her two kids escape.
Fugitive Abdul Ezedi, 35, is still at large after he allegedly doused 12 people with a corrosive alkaline liquid on Wednesday.
He also allegedly tried to run a woman over before twice slamming her three-year-old daughter on the ground “like a rag doll”.
Ezedi is believed to have tracked his victim down to the two-star Clapham South Belvedere Hotel, where the council had put her up with her daughters, aged three and eight.
Now, a witness has told how his partner, a woman in her 50s, bravely tackled the dangerous attacker to the ground – and was left with horrific injuries.
She charged at the man, thought to be Ezedi, 35, as she watched him attack the woman and her daughters – not knowing they were covered in the chemical, reports The Sunday Times.
Her partner explained: “We had no idea any substance was involved; only that the guy was clearly intent on hurting the [three-year-old].
“He then went to pick the child up off the road to do it [throw the child to the ground] again, which is when my partner lunged in and tackled him, grabbing his leg and falling to the ground in the process like a rugby tackle.”
As a result she has now “burnt both eyeballs” and has been seeing specialists every day.
Her partner added: “I have no doubt that if my partner had not jumped in then the child would no longer be with us, and if our other neighbours hadn’t immediately taken the family and washed them down then their injuries would have been far worse.”
Cops from the National Crime Agency, nicknamed “Britain’s FBI”, were drafted into the manhunt last night.
NCA agents are probing whether organised crime groups might be helping Ezedi evade capture, the reports.
It comes after cops on Saturday released footage of officers entering one home in Newcastle where empty containers with corrosive warnings on the labels were found.
Police say forensic tests are “currently ongoing” to see if the containers held the substance used in the attack.
It was also revealed that Ezedi arrived in the UK in a lorry and failed to claim asylum.
However, he then converted to Christianity and was accepted on his third attempt with a priest as a character witness.
It comes as…
- Cops raid a home in the search for fugitive Abdul Ezedi
- The suspect’s relative says Ezedi was in a relationship with his victim
- A hero mum ignored her own injuries to save her daughters
- Officers in hazmat suits smash down doors in the hunt for Ezedi
- ‘Dangerous’ Ezedi is revealed as a convicted sex offender
Ezedi pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure before he was granted asylum, the Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed.
He was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on January 9, 2018, to a nine-week jail term suspended for two years for the sexual assault.
For the exposure he was given 36 weeks’ imprisonment to be served consecutively, which was also suspended for two years.
I have no doubt that if my partner had not jumped in then the child would no longer be with us.
Witness at the scene
Commander Jon Savell said: “Abdul Ezedi was last seen at King’s Cross Underground Station at 9pm on Wednesday, 31 January, where he boarded a Victoria Line train travelling southbound.
“The police investigation to establish his subsequent movements and ultimately locate him is continuing at pace.
“I want to thank everyone who has contacted police to share what they know.
“We have received dozens of calls with information, including possible sightings, and every single piece of information has been recorded and forms part of our ongoing investigation.
Everything we know about Ezedi
What were Ezedi’s last known movements?
Manhunt cops say Ezedi’s car was seen in Newcastle at quarter past midnight on Wednesday.
By 6.30am the car was seen travelling into Tooting, south west London.
A further sighting of his car was confirmed in Croydon at 4.30pm and Ezedi was seen driving in Streatham at 7pm.
The attack on a 31-year-old woman, and her daughters, aged three and eight, took place in Lessar Avenue in Clapham at 7.25pm that night.
The mum is believed to be known to Ezedi, cops said.
Ezedi made off in his car but it crashed nearby. He then left the vehicle and ran off.
At 7.33pm Ezedi boarded a Northern line train at Clapham South Tube station.
Ezedi got off at King’s Cross just before 8pm.
He was seen on CCTV leaving a Tesco Express at 21 Caledonian Road, near King’s Cross, and turning right.
The suspect had significant facial injuries and is believed to have bought a bottle of water.
Ezedi re-entered King’s Cross Tube station at 9pm and boarded a southbound Victoria line train.
The suspect has not been seen since.
Does Ezedi have a criminal record?
Ezedi was convicted of a sexual offence in 2018 and given a suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed he was sentenced on January 9 of that year after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure.
He was put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
Why was Ezedi given asylum in the UK?
Ezedi was granted asylum in 2020 on his third attempt – after he was convicted of the sex offence.
He reportedly arrived in the UK on the back of a lorry in 2016 and claimed to have converted to Christianity to back up his asylum bid.
A priest told the Telegraph that Ezedi had converted to Christianity and was “wholly committed” to his new religion.
What happened to Ezedi’s face?
CCTV from Wednesday night shows Ezedi with what police have described as very “significant injuries to the right side of his face”.
Met Police Commander Jon Savell addressed him directly, saying: “Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries.
“We’ve seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in.”
“I can assure the public that my colleagues and I are fully committed to using every available tool and tactic for as long as it takes to find Abdul Ezedi.
“I am today urging the public to remain vigilant and to contact police immediately if they may have seen Ezedi or have information about him.
“I would also like to reiterate that if you see Ezedi, you should call 999 immediately. He should NOT be approached.”
Anyone with information about Abdul Ezedi is asked to call 020 7175 2784 or for an immediate sighting dial 999.
To remain anonymous, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers.
