AN ICE cream man’s throat was slit by a killer wielding a 16cm knife during a horrifying daylight attack, a court heard.
Shazad Khan, 41, was allegedly set upon by Zaher Zaarour while he was working in Wembley, north-west London, on August 19.
Central NewsMr Khan was in his van in Monks Park when he was allegedly approached by the defendant[/caption]
PACourt sketch of Zaher Zaarour, 26, who appeared at the Old Bailey yesterday[/caption]
Mr Khan was in his van in Monks Park when he was allegedly approached by the defendant who started speaking to him.
He moved off but was approached again by Zaarour, with words exchanged between the two, prosecutor Jacob Hallam KC said.
Outlining the incident yesterday, Mr Hallam told the Old Bailey that Mr Khan was repeatedly stabbed by his attacker.
He said: “Mr Khan went to his van and turned his back on the defendant and started to take off his apron.
“The defendant pulled out a large knife, about 16cm in length and 3cm wide, which he had down his trousers.
“He reached round the front of Mr Khan and stabbed him to the right side of his chest.
“That blow alone caused catastrophic injuries to Mr Khan. That was caught on CCTV.”
Witnesses then allegedly saw the defendant cut Mr Khan’s throat.
They also claim he repeatedly stabbed the left side of his body with “severe force”.
Mr Hallam said the stab wounds were “consistent with a focused and intense attack”.
He continued by saying that Mr Khan was on the ground and the defendant was “over him”.
During the attack, a number of Mr Khan’s ribs were fractured, he added.
The Old Bailey heard members of the public called the emergency services after the attack.
But despite their best efforts, they were unable to save Mr Khan due to the “nature and number” of his injuries, Mr Hallam said.
Zaarour, 26, from Brent, north-west London, was arrested at his home the following day.
He was charged with murder and possession of a blade.
Details of the incident were heard as he made his first appearance at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing before Judge Nigel Lickley KC.
Bearded Zaarour appeared in the dock wearing a grey T-shirt and spoke only to confirm his identity.
Judge Lickley set a plea hearing for November 12 and a provisional three-week trial from April 7 next year.
Remanding into custody, the judge outlined the allegation and described shocking CCTV footage of the alleged attack.
He said: “The incident, some which is captured on CCTV, includes the first stabbing action by the defendant to the victim while the victim had his back turned to him.
“He straddled the deceased and continued to stab him multiple times.
“This caused him catastrophic injuries so as by the time emergency services arrived, Mr Khan had died at the scene.”
Met Police Detective Chief Inspector Paul Waller previously thanked the community for their help and support during the investigation.
He said: “I would like to thank the community for their help and support during this investigation.
“Residents can expect to see an increase of officers in the local area over the next coming days as the investigation continues.”
PAMet Police Detective Chief Inspector Paul Waller thanked the community for their help[/caption]
PAZaarour, 26, was arrested at his home the day after the alleged attack[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
