The have-a-go hero driver who drove into a knifeman while he was stabbing to death a mother-of-two has today urged the Metropolitan Police to de-arrest him after he was bailed until next month on suspicion of murder.
Yasmin Wafah Chkaifi, 43, died after the horrific attack by Leon Mccaskie, 41, despite the efforts of the motorist – named for the first time today as ‘Abraham’ – who intervened by ploughing into him in Maida Vale, West London.
Friends of the 26-year-old driver, a Chechen electrician who was arrested on suspicion of murder after he drove his Renault Clio into Mr Mccaskie to try to stop the carnage, said he has been ‘living a nightmare’ ever since.
More than 20,000 people have signed a petition calling for him not to face criminal charges – and relatives and friends of Miss Chkaifi have called for the police probe to be dropped and for him to be honoured for his bravery.
Now, Abraham has said he does ‘not see why I as the person who tried to assist in the defence of other human beings remain arrested and on bail under suspicion of murder’ and urged police to instead treat him as a witness.
In a statement issued on Twitter overnight through his lawyer Mohammed Akunjee, Abraham has said: ‘I witnessed a man repeatedly stabbing a defenceless woman on the pavement a short distance in front of my car.
Mohammed Akunjee, lawyer for the Maida Vale driver who is an electrician known only as ‘Abraham’, gives a statement today
This press statement was issued on Twitter overnight by the Maida Vale driver’s lawyer Mohammed Akunjee
Yasmin Wafah Chkaifi (left), 43, died after the horrific attack by Leon Mccaskie (right), 41, in Maida Vale, West London
‘Members of the public were attempting to intervene. The attacker was wielding a knife and was threatening those brave citizens too. My instant thought was to protect the woman who was being stabbed and the public who were also being threatened. The vehicles ahead of me moved off, which gave me the opportunity to intervene.
‘I drove my vehicle towards the attacker in order to get him away from the woman he was attacking. I did not intend to harm the attacker. I only intended to protect those being attacked.’
He continued: ‘My vehicle struck the attacker and he was taken under my car, causing it to stall. I could not reverse my car to free him. I and the other passers-by attempted to lift the car away from the attacker so we could provide the man with first aid.
‘Unfortunately we were unsuccessful with this and I have since learned that both the young lady and her attacker have died. I am deeply sorry that the man I tried to stop from attacking other people has died.
‘It was never my intention to harm him, I just wanted to stop him from hurting anybody further . My only regret is that God did not allow me to be present at the scene sooner so that my intervention may have saved the life of the young woman concerned.’
Abraham added that he had asked Mr Akunjee – a high-profile lawyer who is best known for fighting for ISIS bride Shamima Begum’s return to the UK – to request that the Metropolitan Police now de-arrest him and instead treat him ‘as a witness to a tragic event rather than as a criminal as they currently are’.
He said: ‘I understand that the police are doing their job and that my being arrested is not unusual. However, I do not see why I as the person who tried to assist in the defence of other human beings remain arrested and on bail under suspicion of murder.
‘I have asked my solicitor to contact the Metropolitan Police to request that they consider de-arresting me and begin treating me as a witness to a tragic event rather than as a criminal as they currently are.’
MailOnline has asked Mr Akunjee’s firm, Waterford Solicitors, how he came to represent Abraham. The lawyer has previously done pro-bono work, including for Begum, although it is not known if that is the case with Abraham.
Friends of the driver, who was heard saying ‘what have I done?’ after the incident, yesterday revealed that the electrician is still in shock.
A friend, who did not want to be named, said: ‘If he ever sees anyone in trouble he will always try to help. He’s a good Muslim man and couldn’t bear to see the woman being attacked.
‘He was on his way to a job and stopped to do the right thing. He’s in shock about what happened. It’s been a nightmare for him.’
Another friend, who did not want to be named, said: ‘This guy is a family man with children and was just doing the right thing. It was instinct and an act of human kindness.
Another said: ‘He is one of the most peaceful and good people I’ve ever met. He would never walk away when somebody needs help.
‘He risked his life to save this poor woman. Police should praise him and let him go to his little children and wife.’
The Metropolitan Police said the driver had been ‘fully co-operative’ after he was arrested on suspicion of murder following the incident.
More than 20,000 people have signed a petition calling for the driver not to face criminal charges over Monday’s incident
Forensic officers stand near a blue Renault Clio as they carry out investigations in Maida Vale, West London, on Monday
Miss Chkaifi’s relatives place flowers at the scene of the killing in Maida Vale, West London, on Tuesday
Police officers and emergency services cordon off the scene in Maida Vale, West London, on Monday
He has been bailed until a date in late February while evidence is evaluated.
The Metropolitan Police is also now facing an investigation itself into the attack after it emerged that the force was repeatedly warned about former company director Mr Mccaskie’s abusive behaviour.
A friend yesterday said how Miss Chkaifi grew concerned that her ex-husband would try to kill her in April 2020 after she learned that he was spying on her.
In messages to Adele-Sara Richards, Miss Chkaifi said: ‘He’s had cameras in my house recording me for months. He’s stolen my mail, my phone, has access to all my personal data. I think he will kill me.’
Miss Chkaifi, who had two sons aged 16 and 18, told friends that she had gone to police about the incident and that a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
The mature student secured a restraining order against Mr Mccaskie after the breakdown of their two-year marriage and even had a panic alarm fitted in her flat.
A warrant for his arrest was issued just three weeks ago after he failed to turn up for a court hearing relating to a breach of the stalking order.
One of Miss Chkaifi’s sons accused the Met of doing too little to protect his mother and said that officers had been contacted numerous times about Mr Mccaskie’s harassment.
Mr Mccaskie was convicted of obstructing a police officer and driving without insurance in 2017.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog is now deciding if it will open an investigation into Scotland Yard’s handling of the case after the force referred itself.
A spokesman said: ‘We can confirm that we have received a referral from the Metropolitan Police regarding their contact with Yasmin Chkaifi prior to her tragic death in Maida Vale, London on January 24.
‘We are currently assessing the available information, and have requested more, to determine what further action may be required from us.’
Tributes have been paid to Ms Chkaifi, who was a qualified childminder, had worked in a school and was studying for a master’s degree.
Ms Richards, who described how she supported her after her mother died, said: ‘She was a good soul. It’s very rare in life you come across a good soul. She always had a happy disposition. She was just a lovely person.’
Another friend, American PhD student Olivia Jones, 30, who lives in Brent, said: ‘I didn’t know Yasmin well, but she made me feel as though I did. A year ago, Yasmin opened her doors to my partner and I at the time and hosted us for a meal.
‘She was incredibly kind, hospitable and an amazing cook and dancer. She had a bubbly personality and a confidence about her that was so attractive.
‘She was proud of her Moroccan heritage and a spiritual woman. We spoke about Islam, identity and social justice. She was a good person.’
Family members paid tribute to Miss Chkaifi, who was also known as Wafat, in a statement on Facebook.
They said: ‘She was full of life, always stayed positive and always saw the best in everyone.
‘Wafat loved to laugh, dance and leave a special impact on everyone’s life that got to share it with her. She has indeed left many broken from this awful and tragic news.
‘Wafat was the most pure and genuine soul you would meet. She has left two amazing boys who will continue her legacy of being pure souls.’
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