A driver who mowed down a knifeman who was stabbing a woman to death in the street has been released by police.
The man drove at Leon McCaskre in his car after he was seen stabbing his ex-partner Yasmin Chkaifi, 43, to death in Maida Vale, west London, last week.
The driver, 26, has been released with no further action, the Metropolitan Police said.
He previously broke his silence to say he never meant to hurt anyone.
The driver, who remained at the scene, was originally arrested on suspicion of murder.
A press statement was later released on his behalf from Waterfords Law firm.
He said he never meant to hurt the attacker and drove his vehicle towards him to try and get him away from the woman.
An arrest warrant had been issued for McCaskre three weeks before he stabbed his former partner to death, the Met Police confirmed.
He died at the scene.
Records show that McCaskre was wanted for failing to appear in court on January 4 after breaching stalking orders banning him from contacting Yasmin, The Times reports.
Yasmin’s family members have since claimed that McCaskre abused the mother-of-two during their two-year marriage.
One of her sons has said that his mum, a mature student of Moroccan descent, secured a restraining order against her ex-husband.
He also said she installed a panic alarm in her flat because she was so frightened.
Police said that Family Liaison Officers have been assigned to both families.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rawlinson from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command leads the investigation and said: “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.”
Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 1496/24JAN.
