Teenager suffering from ‘Grenfell PTSD’ tried to set doctor’s house ablaze
A gang member tried to set a doctor’s house ablaze when he claimed he was suffering from PTSD after members of his family died in the Grenfell fire, a court heard
Hanif El-Hafedi, 19, poured petrol through the victim’s letter box and tried to set it alight.
El-Hafedi and Joshua Lenga, 20, then stabbed a rival gang member Herman Yikalo who was lucky to escape with minor injuries, Southwark crown court heard.
His barrister Will Glover said: ‘In June 2017 five members of his family were taken from him in the Grenfell fire.
‘As a result of that he had begun to become disruptive in school.
‘The change in his behaviours and loss of motivation came after the Grenfell fire. He was diagnosed with PTSD.’
El-Hafedi claimed he was forced by other gang members to set the fire at the doctor’s house in 2018 but he was convicted of attempted arson.
‘It’s very hard to see why someone suffering PTSD from a fire would go armed with petrol to set a fire through a letterbox,’ said judge
Martin Griffiths.
El-Hafedi and Lenga attacked Yikalo outside Amberley Youth Project in Maida Vale with a zombie knife.
They were both armed with knives when they took a taxi to the Shirland Road area on April 8 and attaked the victim from behind, stabbing him in the shoulder and back.
Yikalo defended himself with a scooter and a youth worker and a taxi driver helped fight them off.
The pair tried to escape in a taxi and the knife was later found at the nearby Best Western Mornington Hotel
Both men admitted wounding with intent.
Lenga also has a number of previous convictions, including supplying class A drugs, criminal damage and possession of a dangerous weapon
Hafedi has a string of previous convictions, including possession of a dangerous weapon and attempted arson.
Lenga told the court: “I want to apologise for the victim and his family and anyone affected by this case,”.
“I’ve learned how drugs and bad friendship groups can have an effect on my life.”
“Every day in custody I wake up and regret it, and I think how one drunken mistake can ruin the rest of your life.”
El-Hafedi of Holders Hill Drive, Hendon was jailed for five years and Lenga, of no fixed address, for four and a half.
‘I have to deal with the two of you for the most serious offence of wounding with intent,’ said Judge Griffiths.
‘The intent was there for all to see.
‘You are both still young. I should expect some growing up done on the part of both of you.’
Griffith also awarded a youth worker and nearby taxi driver a High Sheriffs commendation and rewarded with them with £500 and £250.
Detective Constable Louis Prior, of the Central West Command Unit, said: ‘This was a violent and senseless attack that could have had much more serious consequences.
‘The disregard both El-Hafedi and Lenga displayed in carrying out this attack in a public place in broad daylight is staggering and displays their conceit in believing that they would get away with it.
‘However, due to the weight of evidence compiled as a result of this diligent investigation, they had little choice but to admit their guilt at court.’
