Met officers praised after saving life of victim

The victim of an attempted murder has praised officers from the Met after they saved her life.

In the early hours of 22 October 2023 officers were called to multiple reports from members of the public about a domestic incident and arrived within minutes to find the victim collapsed in the street.

Joel Victorious, 51 (12.11.72) of Waleran Flats, Southwark had struck the victim’s head repeatedly with a hammer before chasing her into the road and threatening her with knives during a vicious attack witnessed by the victim’s children.

Officers responding to the incident discovered the victim covered in blood lying on the pavement with life threatening injuries and performed emergency first aid.

The officers also provided life-saving support to Victorious who had stabbed himself during the frenzied incident.

Following a comprehensive investigation, Victorious was charged with attempted murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 5 September.

The victim said: "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to officers at Peckham Police Station for their swift and heroic actions in saving my life. Their professionalism and bravery during an incredibly difficult time will forever be remembered.

"A special thanks goes to Simone Kidd, the investigator, who worked tirelessly on the case. Her dedication, attention to detail, and perseverance ensured that justice has been served in the case of the attempted murder against me. Thanks to her and the team's hard work I can move forward knowing that those responsible have been held accountable.

"This has been a challenging journey but I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the support I have received from the Met. I hope this serves as a reminder of the incredible work the Met do in serving the community. Their bravery in the line of duty is a testament to the values they uphold in protecting our community."

Detective Inspector Andy Kinkead said: "This shocking case demonstrates the dedication and professionalism of the Metropolitan Police Service, from those attending the scene to the detectives who built the case.

"Officers have continued to provide expert support to the family during this extremely upsetting time."

The sentence comes as the Met continues to deliver its New Met for London Plan, which includes a focus on tackling violence against women and girls. As part of the strategy, the Met has placed an extra 565 people into specialist teams to prioritise this critical work and target perpetrators.

DC Simone Kidd, who was the investigating officer said: "I want to commend the victim for her bravery and for supporting this investigation to a positive outcome. I sincerely hope she can now move forward.”