Mahmud Aslam, instructed by Veronica Oghomeh of Universe Solicitors, secured acquittals on two counts of Attempted Murder, two counts of section 18 (GBH) and one count of possession of an offensive weapon following a seven-day trial at the Old Bailey.
The stabbings of two girls, in April 2021, had taken place in West Norwood and had attracted considerable media coverage.
The defendant was alleged to have stabbed the girls with a twelve-inch kitchen knife and then fled the scene laughing. The injuries were said to be life threatening. The defendant was arrested not long afterwards at his mother’s address. He was identified by one complainant and an independent witness as being the “knifeman” and part of the events were caught on CCTV. The defendant, who had several previous convictions for possession of knives, which were placed before the jury, whilst accepting presence at the scene, denied possession of the knife and being the “knifeman” and could not account for which individual had produced or used the knife on the two girls. He maintained that, despite having no injuries himself, that any involvement in the incident on his part was in self-defence.
Criticism was made, by the defence, of the manner in which the investigation had been conducted by the police and the jury returned Not Guilty verdicts on all counts.
Mahmud’s full profile: https://greatjames.co.uk/members/mahmud-aslam/