Vengeful son who stabbed innocent man while trying to catch female burglar escapes jail

Tamim Azimi, 27, of Bengal Road, armed himself with a knife on September 6 last year and set out to find the woman who had broken into his father’s home the previous evening.

When he tried to apprehend the unnamed burglar in Cranbrook Road, Ilford, she was with Haroon Khan, who knew nothing about the raid, and who stepped in to try and protect her.

Mr Khan put his hand up in front of him and was then slashed through the arm by Azimi, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Sentencing Azimi for the attack, Judge Inigo Bing said: “You used a knife in a public street at night and caused injury to a completely innocent man, because I am satisfied that Mr Khan had nothing to do with the burglary.

“If these were the only circumstances of the offence, you would be going immediately to prison for 18 months.” But the judge added that Azimi regretted not helping his father the previous night.

He said: “These circumstances are so unusual that coupled with your personal mitigation, being the primary carer for your father and your previous good character, they permit me to suspend the sentence.”

Stanley Reiz, defending, said Azimi was extremely regretful and embarrassed by his actions.

Mr Khan was taken to hospital where he received several stitches to the wound.

Azimi was found guilty of one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The judge sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Bing also ordered that Azimi make a contribution of £250 towards costs.