‘We will catch him, I’m wholeheartedly confident,’ says police chief
A large manhunt is under way for a suspect who threw an alkaline substance at a mother and her two children, leaving her and one daughter with potentially life-changing injuries.
A CCTV image of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, taken when he bought water in a Tesco afterwards, has since been released showing him with severe burn marks down the right-hand side of his face.
And on Thursday night it emerged that Ezedi was convicted of a sexual offence in 2018, before being granted asylum in the UK in 2021 or 2022 from his native Afghanistan. The 35-year-old had twice previously been refused asylum.
In all, 12 people needed hospital treatment after the “targeted” attack in Lessar Avenue, Clapham, south London, on Wednesday evening.
Ezedi who is believed to be known to the mother, is thought to have travelled down from Newcastle on Wednesday, and could be heading back there, said Supt Gabriel Cameron.
The woman, 31, described as vulnerable, and her three-year-old daughter, were still in hospital alongside her other daughter, eight.
Ezedi, who also threw the younger child to the ground, was later spotted on CCTV in Caledonian Road, north London, where he went to a Tesco.
Have you been affected by this? Email [email protected]
‘We will catch him’
He is Abdul Ezdi, said to be around 35, and was last spotted in north London. It is believed he is from Northumbria.
He fled the scene in a vehicle, a Hyundia car, before going on foot.
Supt Gabriel Cameron told journalists: “We will catch him”. He also urged people not to approach him and call police immediately.
Alex Ross1 February 2024 13:39
Legal crackdown on corrosive substances came in 2019
The law on corrosive substances was strengthened in 2019 – the first time they had been specifially mentioned in legislation.
The Offensive Weapons Act outlaws the sale and delivery of corrosive products to under-18s, bans delivery to homes – and lockers in the case of remote sales – and makes it illegal to possess a corrosive substance in a public place without good reason.
Those found guilty may face up to four years in prison.
Anyone using acid or other corrosive substances in an attack is guilty of assault.
Depending on the severity of the injuries, they may be charged with assault causing actual bodily harm or grievous bodily harm with intent, which is punishable by jail sentences, including life imprisonment.
Jane Dalton2 February 2024 04:59
Watch: Suspect known to victims, says Met commissioner
Clapham attack suspect ‘known to victims,’ says Met commissioner
A suspect who threw an alkaline substance at a mother and her two children in Clapham, leaving her and one daughter with potentially life-changing injuries, was “known to the victims,” Sir Mark Rowley said. The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation after a suspected corrosive substance was thrown at people in Lambeth on Wednesday, 31 January. Authorities are searching for Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, 35, over the “targeted” attack that led to 12 people needing hospital treatment. Ezedi is believed to have sustained significant injuries to the right side of his face, the Met said.
Jane Dalton2 February 2024 03:59
Hundreds of attacks a year with corrosive substances
Police in England and Wales recorded 472 violent and robbery offences involving a corrosive substance in the year to March 2023, the latest available figures from the Office for National Statistics show.
There were 525 recorded in the previous 12-month period.
Jane Dalton2 February 2024 02:59
Recap: Witness grabbed girl from attack as boyfriend gave chase
Jane Dalton2 February 2024 01:59
Ezedi was last seen in north London, about 15 minutes and several miles away from the scene of the attack:
Jane Dalton2 February 2024 00:59
Suspect is understood to be a convicted sex offender
More information has emerged tonight on the suspect Abdul Ezdi, with the 35-year-old a convicted sex offender.
It is understood that in 2018 he was convicted of a sexual offence at Newcastle Crown Court.
As we’ve said previously tonight, he was granted asylum in the UK in 2021 or 2022 – several years after the court conviction.
Former home office minister Sir John Hayes said he would be writing to the Home Secretary on the issue.
He told The Telegraph: “This case provides an opportunity not only to review the criteria for granting asylum but also for how we deal with those who are known criminals.”
Alex Ross2 February 2024 00:08
Ring 999 if you see suspect, say police
Detectives have stressed that the suspect should not be approached, asking anyone who sees Ezedi to call 999.
Jane Dalton1 February 2024 23:59
Suspect was looked after by charity
Between April 29, 2021 and March 2, 2022, Abdul Ezdi was housed by an organisation called Action Foundation, which provides accommodation and support to migrants.
He then left to other homeless accommodation in Newcastle, the charity said.
Chief executive Duncan McAuley said: “We’d like to first of all express our sympathy to the people involved in this shocking incident.
“We can confirm that Abdul Shokoor Ezedi was supported in rented property through our Action Letting project for refugees who have been granted leave to remain in the UK
“We understand he then moved to other homeless accommodation in Newcastle.”
Alex Ross1 February 2024 23:11
Suspect was twice refused asylum
Tonight it has emerged that the suspect Abdul Shokoor Ezedi was twice refused asylum after arriving from his native Afghanistan in 2016.
Only in 2021 or 2022 was he granted leave to remain.
It has raised questions among MPs, including from Sir John Hayes, a former home office minister, who told The Telegraph he would be writing to James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, to call for urgent review of the asylum rules.
Miriam Cates, co-chairman of the New Conservative group of MPs, has also voiced her concern.
She said: “This shocking and tragic case is everybody’s worst nightmare but it also shows the urgent need to tighten up our asylum processes.
“This man should never have been granted asylum in this country and we need to get to the bottom of how he was able to be granted leave to remain.”
Alex Ross1 February 2024 23:06
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
