Anti-vaxxer, 34, who was worried about children contracting Covid from social worker, 61, carrying out welfare checks at north London flat is found guilty of attempted murder after using two Swiss Army-style knives to try and kill him

• Sulai Man, 34, found guilty of attempting to kill social worker Themba Nkomo
• Mr Nkomo had requested police assistance to carry out welfare checks at flat 
• He was stabbed eight times, including three penetrating wounds to his torso 
• Man, an anti-vaxxer, also attacked two police officers in the north London flat
• Convicted man told jurors he was concerned about occupants getting Covid 

An anti-vaxxer who feared that children would contract Covid from a social worker  carrying out welfare checks at a flat has been found guilty of attempted murder after using two Swiss Army-style knives to try and kill him.

Sulai Man, 34, tried to kill 61-year-old Themba Nkomo with the two pen knives after police had forced their way into a flat in Wood Green, Haringey, north London, on August 6 last year. 

Mr Nkomo was stabbed eight times, including three penetrating wounds to his torso, jurors were told. 

But after officers went to the social worker’s aid, Man also launched an attack on PC David Turpin and PC Luke Smith.

The defendant, also known as Sulai Bukhari, denied attempting to kill the social worker and assaulting the two officers with Swiss Army-style knives.

His defence was that he was acting in the occupants’ defence despite not living at the address at the time.

Sulai Man, 34, has been found guilty of attempted murder after using two Swiss Army-style knives to try and kill a social worker. Pictured: Scene on Noel Park Road

The convicted man also told jurors that he was concerned about the occupants contracting Covid and that he was not in favour of vaccination.

On Wednesday, at the Old Bailey, he was found guilty of attempted murder by a majority of ten to two.

He was also convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to the two officers.

Prosecutor Simon Ray had previously told jurors the history of social services contact with the family, with the last visit by a Haringey Council social worker two months earlier.

 After officers went to social worker Themba Nkomo’s aid, Man also launched an attack on PC David Turpin and PC Luke Smith. Pictured: Scene following stabbing

On the day of the attack, Mr Nkomo had requested police assistance to carry out the welfare checks.

Officers used bolt cutters to cut chains on the door blocking access to the flat.

Meanwhile, Man hid around the corner in the communal area before launching his attack.

Mr Ray said: ‘Mr Sulai Man ran at Mr Nkomo and stabbed him in the chest.

‘Mr Nkomo fell to the floor. Mr Sulai Man continued to stab him whilst he was on the floor.

‘The police heard Mr Nkomo shout and immediately ran out to help.

‘The defendant ran away and PC Turpin followed. The defendant turned and launched himself at PC Turpin.’

Jurors heard the officer initially felt what he thought was a punch. He lost his balance and fell to the floor, using his legs to try to fend off the defendant, the court heard. 

PC Smith, who was wearing a stab vest, then tackled the knifeman on the floor where he attempted to strike out at his torso. 

Mr Nkomo was stabbed eight times, including three penetrating wounds to his torso, jurors were told. Pictured: Police approaching the scene Friday

At the Old Bailey (pictured), Man was found guilty of attempted murder by a majority of ten to two

The defendant, who wore all black with a mask covering his face, was quickly restrained on the ground and arrested. 

The incident was caught on the officers’ body-worn cameras, CCTV, a neighbour’s doorbell camera and by mobile phone. 

The defendant was heard to say words to the effect that he was protecting his family and questioning why the police were involved in a ‘civil matter’. 

Mr Ray added that although Mr Nkomo did not suffer life-threatening injuries, the attack could have had a detrimental effect. 

‘The prosecution say what is clear is that the defendant was intending to cause much greater harm to the victims,’ he said.

‘The fact the injuries did not result in death can be put down to luck and, in the case of Mr Smith, protection given to him by the stab vest he was wearing.’ 

Sentencing was adjourned to a later date for psychiatric and pre-sentence reports to be completed. 

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