Clapham chemical attack: Woman in her 50s 'burned both eyeballs' as she tackled 'fugitive Abdul Ezedi' to save child's life
A GOOD Samaritan who tackled a madman with a chemical attack has suffered “burns to both eyeballs” after helping a woman and her two children escape.
Fugitive Abdul Ezedi, 35, is still at large after him is said to have doused twelve people with a corrosive alkaline liquid on Wednesday.
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He also reportedly tried to run over a woman before slamming her three-year-old daughter to the ground twice “like a rag doll”.
Ezedi does probably traced his victim to the two-star Clapham South Belvedere Hotel, where the council had housed her with her daughters, aged three and eight.
Now a witness has told how his partner, a woman in her 50s, bravely knocked the dangerous attacker to the ground – leaving him with horrific injuries.
She attacked the man, believed to be 35-year-old Ezedi, as she watched him attack the woman and her daughters – unaware they were covered in the chemical, The Sunday Times reports.
Her partner explained: “We had no idea anything was involved; just that the man clearly intended to hurt the man [three-year-old].
“He then went and got the child off the road to do it [throw the child to the ground] again, then my partner came forward and tackled him, grabbing his leg and falling to the ground like a rugby tackle.
As a result, she now has “burnt both eyeballs” and visits specialists every day.
Her partner added: “I have no doubt that if my partner had not jumped in, the child would no longer be with us, and if our other neighbors had not immediately taken the family and washed them away, their injuries would have been much more serious have been. worse.”
It comes after police were released on Saturday images of officers entering a house in Newcastle where empty containers with corrosive warnings on the labels were found.
Police say forensic tests are “currently underway” to see if the containers contained the substance used in the attack.
That has also proven to be the case Ezedi arrived in Britain in a truck and could not file a claim asylum.
However, he subsequently converted Christianity and was accepted on his third attempt with a priest as character witness.
Ezedi pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one charge of indecent 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 prison sentence, suspended for two years, for the assault.
For the unmasking he received a prison sentence of 36 weeks, which was also extended by two years.
I have no doubt that if my partner had not stepped in, the child would no longer be with us.
Witness at the scene
Commander Jon Savell said: “Abdul Ezedi was last seen at 9pm on Wednesday, January 31 at King's Cross tube station, where he boarded a southbound Victoria Line train.
“The police investigation to determine his subsequent movements and ultimately locate him continues apace.
“I would like 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 piece of information has been recorded and is part of our ongoing investigation.
Everything we know about Ezedi
What were Ezedi's last known movements?
Police say Ezedi's car was spotted in Newcastle at just after midnight on Wednesday.
At 6.30am the car was seen driving 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, happened on Lessar Avenue in Clapham at 7.25pm that evening.
The mother is probably known to Ezedi, the police said.
Ezedi took off in his car, but it crashed nearby. He then exited the vehicle and ran away.
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 allegedly 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 offense in 2018 and given a suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed he was sentenced on January 9 that year after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one charge of indecent exposure.
He was on the sex offenders register for ten years.
Why was Ezedi granted asylum in Britain?
Ezedi was granted asylum on his third attempt in 2020 – after being convicted of the sexual offence.
He reportedly arrived in Britain on the back of a truck in 2016, claiming he had converted to Christianity to support his asylum claim.
A priest told the Telegraph that Ezedi had converted to Christianity and was “completely committed” to his new religion.
What happened to Ezedi's face?
CCTV footage from Wednesday evening shows Ezedi suffering what police describe as very “significant injuries to the right side of his face”.
Met Police Commander Jon Savell addressed him directly, saying: 'Abdul, you clearly have some very serious injuries.
'We have seen the images. You need medical help, so do the right thing and turn yourself in.”
“I can assure the public that my colleagues and I are fully committed to using all available resources and tactics for as long as necessary to find Abdul Ezedi.
“I today urge the public to remain vigilant and contact police immediately if they have seen Ezedi or have any 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 dial 999 for an immediate sighting.
To remain anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers.
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