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ON THE RUN
Clapham chemical attack fugitive Abdul Ezedi is a convicted sex offender, it’s revealed as video shows man fleeing scene
The horror attack unfolded as brave passers-by rushed over to help
THE man accused of hurling a chemical substance at a mum and her children is a convicted sex offender, it has tonight been revealed.
Cops are desperately hunting to find Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, 35, who is accused of last night injuring 12 people in a horror attack.
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The revelation comes as police released footage of a figure fleeing through the darkness after a chemical attack.
The family is feared to have been deliberately targeted in the horror in Clapham, South West London.
Ezedi is now being hunted by police, who have urged the public not to confront him and instead call 999 immediately.
It has this evening revealed the 35-year-old is a sex offender.
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Ezedi was convicted of a sexual offence at Newcastle Crown Court in 2018.
On-the-run Ezedi pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure.
He was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on January 9, 2018, to a nine-week jail term suspended for two years for the sexual assault.
For the exposure he was given 36 weeks' imprisonment to be served consecutively, which was also suspended for two years.
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Police tonight also released a new photo of the man on the run with a melted face.
In the hours prior footage showing a man fleeing the scene near the horror attack was released, reports.
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The figure briefly loses his footing on a speed bump as he runs down a residential street before vanishing from sight.
It is not clear if the man in the footage is 35-year-old Ezedi, who is from Newcastle.
Police today confirmed 12 people were injured in the attack - including the 31-year-old mum and her daughters, aged three and eight.
None of their conditions are believed to be life-threatening, although the mum and her youngest child's wounds could be "life-changing".
Three women, aged in their 30s and 50s, were also hurt when they heroically rushed over to help the family.
A man in his 50s suffered minor injuries when he also stepped in, along with five police officers who raced to the scene.
'DANGEROUS' ATTACKER
Although it was previously believed to be an acid attack, police confirmed an alkaline corrosive substance was used.
The update was released by the Met today as they continue to hunt the "dangerous" attacker.
In a press conference this afternoon, officers confirmed Ezedi has significant injuries to the right side of his face.
He was last seen in Caledonian Road, Islington, amid fears he may have returned to Newcastle.
Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said: "A horrific incident that occurred last night resulted in a 31-year-old female and two children aged three and eight attacked with a corrosive substance which we have now confirmed to be an alkaline.
"A male was with them in the vicinity, a 35-year-old male called Abdul Ezedi.
"He left the scene but the injuries to the female and children, they're in a stable condition but they don't seem to be life-threatening but they could be life-changing."
Officers previously confirmed they were called to the scene following reports a child had been "thrown to the ground" before the substance was hurled at the family.
The suspect attempted to flee in a car but left on foot after crashing into a stationary vehicle.
It comes after chilling footage showed the suspect running around a car and leaping in - before appearing to drive into a person stood in front of it.
'I CAN'T SEE, I CAN'T SEE'
Mum-of-three Shannon Christie, who lives in a block of flats at the end of the road, said: "I saw a little girl being thrown to the floor.
“At that point I ran in and grabbed her off the floor.
“I heard her mum shouting ‘I can’t see, I can’t see’.
“So I called my partner to get some water.
“Staff at the hospital then came round and were dousing her with water."
Another witness added: "It was the worst thing I've ever seen.
"She was screaming, 'My eyes! My eyes!' Her skin looked burnt."
Superintendent Cameron said both the man and woman are known to each other.
The officer added: "Firstly, I want to acknowledge the considerable public concern following this terrible incident, and update on the injuries suffered by the victims.
"Officers from across the Met are working with partner agencies and forces to locate and arrest the man.
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"While this appears a targeted attack, he is a dangerous individual and we urgently need to find him. We will release more information about him as soon as we can."
Anyone with information has been asked to call police on 101 quoting reference CAD 7790/31Jan.
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