Maida Vale stabbing: No charges for driver who ran over and killed knifeman after he stabbed ex to death

A ‘have-a-go’ hero who ran over and killed a knifeman after he had stabbed his ex to death will face no charges, police have said.

The 26-year-old, who has never been named, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.

He had driven his blue Renault Clio into Leon McCaskie, 41, who had just stabbed his ex partner, mum of two Yasmin Chkaifi, 43, to death.

Inquests into the deaths were opened and adjourned this morning, with the coroner describing the events as “shocking and distressing”.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rawlinson from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, who leads the investigation, said the man was now being treated as a witness and had been offered professional support.

He said the decision had been taken after reviewing the law on self defence and defence of another.

Shortly after the murder, Mrs Chkaifi’s family had described him as a hero and called for all the charges to be dropped.

DCI Rawlinson said: “Detectives investigating the murder of a woman and the death of a man in Maida Vale on Monday, 24 January have released the driver of a car who was involved in the incident with no further action.

“Having reviewed the CCTV evidence and taken statements of numerous members of the public and attending officers, as well as reviewing the legal position regarding self-defence and defence of another, a decision has been taken that the driver of the car, a 26-year-old man will face no further police action.

“He is considered a vital witness to our investigation and will be offered support from professionals to help him come to terms with the terrifying situation he was confronted with.

“It is vitally important that when a person dies there is a thorough investigation into all of the circumstances and this has taken place.

“Such decisions must be thoroughly examined and while this process takes time this has been a priority for my team. The man’s legal advisors have been informed of this decision.

“Inquests have opened in relation to both deaths and my team will continue to work to provide evidence for the Coroner.

“We continue to appeal for witnesses to this incident who have yet to speak to police to come forward and do so.”

The deaths happened at around 9am on Chippenham Road, Maida Vale on January 24.

A post-mortem examination on Tuesday, 25 January confirmed Yasmin’s cause of death as multiple stab injuries.

A post-mortem examination on Thursday, 27 January confirmed McCaskie’s cause of death as multiple injuries.

It later emerged that McCaskie had a warrant out for his arrest after he had failed to appear in court over breaching an anti-stalking order taken out against him.

McCaskie was already wanted by police for breaching the order which Mrs Chkaifi had taken out against him for being abusive.

An inquest into the death of Mrs Chkaifi was opened at Westminster Coroner’s Court this morning, attended over videolink by many members of her family, including her husband Joseph Salmon and two sons.

Giving evidence, DCI Neil Rawlinson said: “Yasmin Chkaifi and Leon McCaskie had been in a relationship that ended several years ago.”

But he said there had been “allegations of domestic abuse” and a Stalking Prevention Order was issued against McCaskie.

He was later arrested and charged for breaching the order, but failed to attend his court hearing, so police issued a warrant for his arrest.

DCI Rawlinson continued: “They lived close to each other and on the morning of January 24 at around 9am he accosted her in the street and repeatedly stabbed her with a knife.

“A member of the public saw this and used his vehicle to stop the assault. Both Yasmin Chkaifi and Leon McCaskie were pronounced dead at the scene.

“We have secured CCTV footage from the scene and obtained statements from witnesses who saw what happened.”

A post mortem examination carried out by Dr Simon Poole found the preliminary cause of death to be “multiple incised stab wounds”.

The case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who will be submitting a report before the inquest is resumed on July 25.