Clapham chemical attack victim ‘just wanted safe home for her girls’

The mother left severely injured in a chemical attack in Clapham, south London, has been described as a generous and devoted mother who just wanted a safe home for her children.

The 31-year-old victim, who has not been named, may lose the sight in her right eye and remains sedated in hospital, eight days on from the attack.

One of her daughters was also hit by the liquid while witnesses described the three-year-old girl being slammed to the ground.

A major manhunt is under way for suspect Abdul Ezedi, 35, who is accused of pouring a strong alkali on his ex-partner, and injuring her two young children, aged three and eight, in Lessar Avenue, Clapham, on 31 January.

Close friends of the victim, who have launched a fundraiser to help support the family, told the PA news agency she is a “devoted and loving mother”.

“Her children are her life. She is generous to a fault and a wonderful cook and host,” a statement released by the friends said.

“All she has ever wanted is a safe home for her and her beautiful, kind little girls.”

“As their loved ones we are still coming to terms with the fact that this monstrous attack will change their lives forever.

“It is difficult to imagine now how they will recover, and all we want is for them to be able to rebuild their lives.

They also spoke of their gratitude to the “heroic” neighbours of Lessar Avenue.

On the GoFundMe page they wrote: “We are overwhelmed by your bravery and kindness and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you did to save our friend and her daughters. You are angels in our eyes.”

On Wednesday, police confirmed for the first time that the victim had been in a relationship with Ezedi but it had broken down.

Commander Jon Savell, from the Metropolitan Police, said the breakdown in the relationship may have been the motive for the 35-year-old who remains on the run a week on from the attack.

Mr Savell told journalists that the massive manhunt for Ezedi, who has significant facial injuries, is “an incredibly high priority attempted murder investigation”.

She had agreed to meet him on the day of the attack and was in his car with her young children when he struck.

Investigators said they are keeping an open mind as to whether Ezedi, an Afghan refugee who came to the UK on a lorry in 2016, has come to harm or is being helped to stay hidden.

A £20,000 reward has also been offered to anyone who has information leading to Ezedi’s arrest.