Woman Held on Meat Cleaver Threat Outside Canary Wharf Migrant Hotel
A 22-year-old woman was remanded in custody after allegedly waving a meat cleaver and threatening security staff outside a migrant hotel in Canary Wharf.
Channay Augustus Charges Revealed
Channay Augustus, from Tower Hamlets, appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court today. She faces a slew of charges, including possession of an offensive weapon, affray, assault on an emergency worker, common assault, and possession of cannabis. Augustus pleaded not guilty to all except the drug charge.
What Went Down at Britannia Hotel
The drama unfolded on August 13, when Augustus, who lives nearby with her blind mother, confronted security after claiming a migrant had entered her flat in the Britannia Hotel. Prosecutor Hitesh Saini told the court that Augustus pulled a meat cleaver from her jacket and threatened security guard Aqib Ahmad, as well as another man named Abdullah Abdi.
“The female in blue told the security guard: ‘I’m going to come back and stab you with a knife.’ She banged the meat cleaver and shouted: ‘F***ing asylum seekers’ before threatening to stab him again,” Mr Saini said.
CCTV caught the incident, sparking significant disturbance outside the hotel, which houses asylum seekers. Augustus was later arrested at her home.
Further Arrests and Court Decision
Earlier today, a migrant was also arrested on suspicion of common assault related to the incident.
District Judge Jane McIvor ruled the severity of the allegations justified keeping Augustus in custody until her next court appearance at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 12, 2025.
As Augustus was led away, family members in the public gallery broke down in tears. The defendant shouted, “I’m killing myself if I’m in those cells.”
