An 18-year-old woman has been jailed following a knife attack in an assisted living facility in Grove Park. The incident took place after an argument between Najma Ali, a tenant at the facility on Launcelot Road, and the manager, resulting in a violent confrontation that left the victim injured.
Prosecutor Margaret Anucha explained that the altercation began on December 22 of last year when Ali, angered during a dispute, smashed up the office of the facility, even throwing a chair at a TV screen. She then forced her way into a cupboard where knives were stored and took them to her bedroom.
Later that day, the victim approached Ali to discuss the incident and explain the house rules. According to Ms. Anucha, Ali became increasingly confrontational, yelling “shut the f*** up” before rushing towards the victim. She brandished a knife taken from her waistband in a threatening manner.
The victim, in an attempt to defend herself, put her hands up and tried to grab the knife. Ali pulled it back, slicing the woman’s fingers in the process.
Ali was arrested later that day and ultimately pleaded guilty to several charges, including criminal damage, threatening a person with a bladed article, and Section 20 grievous bodily harm.
At her sentencing hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, September 30, a statement from the victim was read. The victim described the incident as surreal, comparing it to a scene from a movie. She expressed gratitude that her injury was not more severe, mentioning that the cut was just a few centimetres away from potentially causing permanent damage to her hand.
The victim also shared her ongoing fear of retaliation, given that Ali knows her workplace.
Ali, who has been on remand for nine months at HMP Bronzefield since the incident, has a record of six previous convictions, including robbery and racially aggravated harassment. Despite her troubled past, defence lawyer Nicki Roberson emphasized that Ali had only recently turned 18 at the time of the attack, suggesting there is potential for her to change her ways.
Judge Philip Shorrock acknowledged her young age and the possibility of rehabilitation, stating, “You are still just 18 years of age, and as has been observed by your counsel, you’re far from a hopeless case.
Ali was sentenced to one year in prison. Given the time she has already spent on remand, she will be released on licence immediately, having served more than half of her sentence.
