Medal For A Killer Motorist ?

[Canary42]

In this case, not a bad idea.

A passing motorist spotted a woman being stabbed repeatedly and drove his car at the attacker to try to save the woman.

In doing so he killed the stabber, but unfortunately too late to save the woman who, sadly, also died.

Her family suggested a medal for the motorist, and while a medal is perhaps a little OTT, I can't really see why he shouldn't get some form of recognition. The police of course arrested him at the scene on suspicion of murder but later released him on bail until late February while they evaluate the evidence.

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/yasmin-chkaifi-woman-stabbed-death-153301438.html

What do you think should happen to the motorist ?

[bobbinwales]

Best to wait for the evidence to be fully evacuated before suggesting any reward

[jno]

I don't approve of motorcide, but if it really was a spontaneous effort to save a woman in great trouble, I wouldn't be unhappy if he was acquitted.

It seems a shame that nobody was able to protect her while she was alive.

[Ellipsis]

Hopefully he will be released without charge. In which case, he will have an interesting car insurance claim ...

[david small]

There but for the grace of God go I. A desperate and spontaneous attempt to stop a murder. Can you relate to this response? Something needed immediate response.

[douglas9401]

Actually david, something needed a slightly earlier response but we are where we are.

Let him go.

[pixie374]

If the report is accurate, nothing should happen to him. I don't think a medal is necessary, but self-defence includes other people, while a crime is happening.
Maybe they have to properly check it wasn't excessive force, but if someone is being stabbed, I don't think anything could be seen as excessive. Good for him.

[DTCwordfan]

there's some hint of a relationship here, so I would advocate let the 'polis' make their enquiries and then comment once the wider facts are known....

[Gromit]

There is a a gap missing in the information in the story.
The victim had been stabbed in the neck. We are not told that some time later the culprit was run over.
Is that an attempt to save the victim, or a vengeance attack ?

[pixie374]

// a car in an apparent bid to stop the attack//

[jno]

yes, the facts need to be properly heard.

[youngmafbog]

Police obviously have to arrest the man until they are happy about what happened.

As for stopping it, how many on here would try to stop the big brute of a fella with a knife (and yes pictures show him to be a large person). Unless you were trained in unarmed combat you would jest end up another victim. He was not going to listen to anyone.

[barry1010]

According to the BBC 'Det Ch Insp Rawlinson said "very courageous" bystanders had "bravely tried to intervene" to stop the attack ...1

[Peter Pedant]

good tag line
seeking employ as a subed?

you can kill in self defence - but this was in defence of someone else
I er cant remember the law on this

anyone know

yeah - Dead body - car - driver I did it! - car damaged

easily enough for an arrest - "suspicion is anything not fanciful"

So - fr instance - - - if you are near a dead body who has been stabbed can you be arrested on suspicion?

yup - straightforward - I aint darn narfin etc explain datt darn da nick etc - - - no wonder people run away from trouble

[barry1010]

DTC ""A man has been arrested in relation to the case; we are not aware of any links between this man and the two deceased."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/maida-vale-murder-mum-stabbed-26045173

[davebro]

I think it would be an instinctive reaction by the driver but whatever the pros & cons he did kill someone.

More pertinent I think is to question why our police and justice system were unable to adequately protect the poor woman in the first place.

[barry1010]

PP, the driver can claim self defence
"The common law defence of self-defence applies where the defendant uses necessary, reasonable and proportionate force to defend themselves or another from imminent attack. It is a complete defence to all non-sexual offences involving the unlawful use of force (anything from battery to murder). ... It must be reasonable."

The driver couldn't deny it as the dead man was trapped under his car.

[Stickybottle]

I believe he ought to get some form of commendation from a judge/coroner but as a vehicle was used and ‘we do not do that sort of thing nor encourage it’ he will sadly get no recognition

[Canary42]

Thank you for your responses.

It appears a petition has been set up (and signed by thousands) supporting avoiding prosecuting the guy.

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/thousands-sign-petition-supporting-driver-110825330.html

[Stickybottle]

Apparently the Met have referred themselves to the IOPC over their handling of the case

[andy-hughes]

On the evidence available to us as the public, which as always is very different from what is available to the police -

I would suggest that prosecution is not appropriate, but then neither is reward.

A 'medal' simply vindicates the notion of the public taking the law into their own hands, and that is the road to vigilanteism, and that is never acceptable.