Jealous Ex Runs Down Victim and Blasts Him with Baseball Bat in Brutal Camden Street Attack
Pre-Meditated Assault in Portslade
Zaki Idris, 29, of Manor Way, Brighton, was locked up after deliberately targeting his victim in a chilling attack on January 26. The ex-lover stalked the 35-year-old man for months before ambushing him outside Underground 1 on Camden Street, Portslade.
Car Crash and Baseball Bat Beating
Idris waited in his black Citroen C4 until his victim appeared. Then, without warning, he sped his car straight at the man, hurling him across the bonnet and smashing the windscreen. He jumped out and viciously attacked him with a baseball bat, striking him repeatedly while threatening to kill him.
Bystanders chased Idris as the victim fought back. A dramatic police pursuit followed over gardens and rooftops, ending with a tense standoff on a roof before his capture.
Weapons and Stalking Evidence Found
After Idris was caught, cops found a claw hammer and knife in his car. Investigators uncovered a disturbing pattern of stalking – Idris had tried to break into his ex-partner’s home in May 2021 after spotting the victim’s car.
Police footage revealed Idris lurking near the victim’s car multiple times in the weeks leading up to the attack, including just an hour beforehand.
Four Years Behind Bars for Relentless Violence
At Lewes Crown Court, Idris admitted all charges but claimed the attack was coincidental. The judge disagreed, ruling the assault was pre-meditated. Idris was sentenced to four years and two months, plus slapped with a five-year restraining order.
Detective Constable Josh Bellamy said: “This was a violent, pre-meditated attack on a man who was, to all intents and purposes, a stranger to Zaki Idris. It is truly miraculous the victim wasn’t more severely hurt or killed. Idris endangered officers and the public in his rooftop chase. Thanks to quick police action, this dangerous individual is now behind bars.”
