"Frenzied" Double Knifeman Sent To Secure Hospital

A double knifeman, who armed himself with two blades and stabbed a shop worker around thirty times, has been locked-up in a secure mental hospital.

Leon Scott, 41, of Drayton Close, Ilford, stabbed his 31-year-old victim multiple times during the attack in nearby Ley Street on November 27, 2017.

He was convicted of attempted murder and will remain locked-up as long as psychiatrists believe he is dangerous.

Scott was made subject to a Hospital Order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Restriction Order under Section 41 of the Act.

This means he will remain incarcerated within a secure facility due to the risk he poses to the public or until deemed otherwise by health authorities.

The incident was witnessed by several members of the public, including a mother with her young children.

The Old Bailey heard the victim was speaking to two people outside the shop he worked at when Scott, armed with two knives, suddenly launched his attack.

After several minutes, and having stabbed his victim approximately thirty times in different parts of his body, he casually walked off towards the Jaffa Road Estate.

Jurors were told that Scott tried to cut the victim's neck during the attack.

A member of the public intervened to stop the stabbing, and helped administer first aid before paramedics arrived.

The two knives used in the attack were recovered from the scene.

Scott was arrested a short time after the incident.

The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition. He continues to suffer lasting nerve damage to his arm.

Acting Detective Sergeant Jeremy Collins, of East Area CID, said: "This was a frenzied attack, which was unprovoked and came totally out of the blue. It was a random attack by all accounts.

"The level of violence used was absolutely shocking, and amongst the worst I have seen.

“The scene that unfolded that morning is the stuff of nightmares, and the victim has endured lasting physical injury and psychological trauma as a result.

"The victim was stabbed thirty times, and it is very fortunate that he was not killed.

“The member of the public who helped stop the attack deserves particular recognition.

"Scott was quickly identified as a suspect, arrested and taken into custody. He has never shown any remorse, and is a dangerous offender."

The following is an excerpt from the victim's impact statement: "I am in so much pain and I can't sleep.

“I feel down because of my scars and also the pain...I feel down, angry, depressed and I am scared to go out and I don't feel safe in public.

"I think about the incident all the time...I don't feel happy anymore, it feels like I lost everything. I have lost the will to live."