The suspect in the Clapham chemical attack was granted asylum after being convicted of a sexual assault, Sky News understands.
Police
are hunting Abdul Shokoor Ezedi after a mother and two children were
targeted with an alkaline substance in Clapham, south London, on
Wednesday evening.
It is understood Ezedi was handed a suspended sentence for a sexual
offence in Newcastle in 2018, and was discharged from probation
supervision in 2020.
The latest development comes after police
issued a new photo of the former asylum seeker, who only had his
application granted on his third attempt after arriving in the UK by
lorry in 2016.
Sky News understands Ezedi was allowed to stay
after a priest vouched for his conversion to Christianity, saying he was
"wholly committed" to his new religion. Ezedi had claimed his life
would be in danger if he returned to his native Afghanistan.
On Thursday evening, Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said the new
image, taken at 8.48pm on Wednesday, was of the last-known sighting of
Ezedi in Caledonian Road, north London, and was less than two hours
after the assault.
"The image is taken from the Tesco store, where
Ezedi is believed to have purchased a bottle of water," he said in a
statement. "He left the shop and turned right.
"The image shows Ezedi with what appears to be significant injuries to the right side of his face. This makes him distinctive.
"If you see Ezedi, call 999 immediately. He should NOT be approached.
The police warning came after a woman and two girls were targeted in south London on Wednesday evening.
The suspect, 35, from Newcastle, is believed to have travelled down to London earlier that day before the attack near Clapham Common and could be heading back, according to police.
Both Northumbria Police and the British Transport Police are helping the Met with the manhunt.
Officers
have also confirmed a car involved in the attack belonged to Ezedi,
while the substance used in the attack was alkaline.
A 31-year-old mother and her three-year-old daughter, alongside her
other daughter, aged eight, remain in hospital following the incident.
The mother and the younger child may have suffered life-changing injuries, according to police.
Officers said the suspect was known to the woman and described the attack as "targeted".
A
total of 12 people were hurt during the incident, including the mother
and her two children, and five officers who were injured as they
responded.
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