Man guilty after driving car at three men, E1

A man who deliberately drove a car at three men as they
celebrated Eid, causing them serious injuries, has been found
guilty of causing grievous bodily harm.

Akikul Islam – 25 (31.07.91) of Stanley Road, E12 was found
guilty of three counts of GBH on Monday, 15 May, following a
trial at the Old Bailey.

The court heard how Islam had been the driver of a white Range
Rover that was deliberately driven at a group of men who were
celebrating Eid-al-Fitr in Frimley Way, E1.

Islam had arrived at the location in the company of another car
shortly before 01:00hrs on 7 July 2016. CCTV footage showed
three men get out of the two cars and become involved in a
verbal altercation with a group of approximately ten males who
were in Frimley Way – this then escalated into a fight.

Islam had remained in the car as the fight escalated around the
vehicle – some of those involved were armed with baseball bats
and bottles. The other car that had arrived with Islam drove
off but Islam – whose car was facing in the other direction –
remained. The group of men surrounded Islam’s car and he
manoeuvred his vehicle before driving directly at the group.

His car ran over a 24-year-old man before colliding with a
parked vehicle. Islam then positioned his car so that he had a
clear route out of Frimley Way into Alderney Road but instead
he reversed his car towards the group of men, running over a
20-year-old man and also the man he had previously struck.

Islam then drove forward with both men stuck beneath the car’s
wheels before he collided with another parked car – he then
drove off into Alderney Road.

Police and London Ambulance Service were called to the scene.
The two injured men were taken to hospital for treatment – the
20-year-old man suffered critical injuries and remains
receiving medical care; the 24-year-old man was discharged
following treatment.

At approximately 03:00hrs that morning, officers on patrol in
Vallance Road, E1 saw Islam’s car in the process of being towed
away by a recovery company. Enquiries established that the car
had been leased to Islam – he was subsequently arrested on 8
August.

Following detailed analysis of CCTV of the incident,
investigators managed to establish that another man, who has
not been identified, were also targeted by Islam. It is not
known what the severity of his injuries were. After compiling
evidence, Islam was charged.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Chris
Soole of Tower Hamlets police said:

“Islam’s actions on that morning are utterly shocking. He had
ample opportunity to leave the scene but chose to remain and
then deliberately drove his car, not just once, but multiple
times, at people at the scene.

“What started as a minor dispute, quickly escalated into a
violent confrontation and ended with Islam’s deliberate attempt
to try and seriously injure those in his way.

“I would like to praise the team who have worked tirelessly to
compile the evidence that was used to convict Islam, in
particular case officer DC Tom Lockwood and the collision
investigator PC Steve Cash.

“Our enquiries into the other events that morning are ongoing
and we will seek to arrest all those who contributed to this
shocking series of events.”

Islam was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at the Old
Bailey on Friday, 30 June.

A number of other people have been arrested as part of this
investigation and remain on bail. Enquiries are ongoing.