Two men jailed for “frenzied knife attack” in Newham

Awadh Saleh and Ramah Williams attacked a rival gang member in a shop in Newham (Credit: Metropolitan Police)

Two men have been jailed for carrying out a “frenzied knife attack” in Newham. 

Awadh Saleh, 22, and Ramah Williams, 18, tried to assassinate a rival gang member on 27 February 2021. 

They armed themselves with knives and followed the victim in their Range Rover until he entered a shop in Fife Road. 

The victim was at the back of the store speaking to the owner when both men approached him and stabbed him four times. 

He managed to escape and ran into a store room, locking himself in the toilet. The men broke down the store room door but could not get into the toilet. 

They then ran back to the Range Rover and fled the scene.

Paramedics were called to the shop and the victim survived the attack.

Saleh and Williams were arrested and later found guilty of attempted murder following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in October 2021. 

Saleh was sentenced to 21 years’ imprisonment, with 16 years to be served in prison and the remaining five years on extended license, at the same court on Monday. 

Williams was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment, with 12 years to be served in prison and the remaining five years on extended license. 

Detective Chief Inspector John Arnold, from the North East Area’s CID, said: “Saleh and Williams were intent on carrying out senseless violence that day when they ultimately attempted to assassinate a rival gang member.

“The victim is lucky to be alive and if he had not been able to escape and lock himself inside a toilet that might not have been the case, as Saleh and Williams were intent on causing him as much harm as possible.

“I am extremely proud of my team who worked tirelessly throughout the investigation and trial to ensure these dangerous men were put behind bars. My officers had an extra challenge to deal with because the victim did not support the prosecution, but that just spurred them on to gather as much evidence as possible to secure a conviction.

“I hope this shows Londoners that we are absolutely committed to tackling violence and sends a strong message to those intent on causing violence – your actions will not be tolerated and you will face the consequences of your actions in court, with or without victim support.”

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