Man Jailed for Apparently Motiveless Attack in East Acton
Owen O'Driscoll refused to explain the reasons for stabbing
Ankaran Food and Wine on Erconwald Street. Picture: Google Streetview
A man has refused to explain his reasons for stabbing another man, who apparently he had never met before, last year despite being jailed for over 20 years for the offence.
29-year-old Owen O’Driscoll of Horn Lane, Acton was waiting to pay for purchases at Ankaran Food and Wine on Erconwald Street, W12 at 8.40pm on 25 June 2020 when he noticed a man, aged in his twenties, outside the shop. He put down the items he was holding and walked outside. O’Driscoll then proceeded to stab the man in the throat and chest damaging an artery in his neck . An altercation then ensued with the victim’s friends and O’Driscoll ran to seek shelter in a nearby house.
Members of the public, including an off-duty doctor walking by, rushed to the aid of the victim. Another witness managed to get the knife out of O’Driscoll’s hands.
The witnesses managed to stem the flow of blood coming from the victim using a t-shirt and flagged down a cab that took him to hospital.
A statement from the victim read in court said, “I know that so many people die from being stabbed and I could have been just another statistic, for that I am grateful. I will be eternally thankful to the members of public who treated me on scene and all the efforts of the medical staff thereafter.”
Two of the members of public who intervened received a Judge’s Commendation and were due to be awarded £750 each.
O’Driscoll was arrested by police officers but declined to answer questions about the incident.
He was found guilty of attempted murder at an earlier hearing on 28 June after admitting possession of an offensive weapon and was jailed for a total of 27 years following the hearing at Harrow Crown Court on Friday, 3 December. The sentence was 24 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder, plus a three-year extended licence.
Joanna Burdett, from the CPS, said, “This was a violent and unprovoked attack on a young man who was just out enjoying his evening.
“He had done nothing to warrant the vicious attack upon him – and had never before encountered Owen O’Driscoll.
“The prosecution case included CCTV evidence of the attack, along with strong testimony from the brave witnesses who attended to the victim and detained O’Driscoll on the night. They were commended by the Judge for their courage and quick-thinking actions, which saved the victim’s life.”
Detective Constable Arrash Faghihi, who worked on the investigation, said: “O’Driscoll has never fully explained why he attacked the victim with such ferocity but there can be no doubt that this was a shocking, violent assault that could have had fatal consequences.
“The Judge quite rightly paid tribute to members of the public who intervened to help the victim and their quick actions ultimately may have saved his life.”
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December 8, 2021