Five-day violent crime spree reached climax with vicious attack on police

A knife attacker described as one of the most dangerous men in Britain was jailed for life for trying to kill two police officers.

John Onyenaychi, 30, from Stratford, cut Pc Paul Madden’s throat as people watched in horror. He then lashed out at other officers trying to restrain him, the Old Bailey heard.

Onyenaychi called out: “Let me finish him off.”

Pc Madden’s life was saved by the quick thinking of a retired heart surgeon who was out Christmas shopping.

Samad Tadjkarimi, 65, also helped police community support officer Piotr Dolata, who was also stabbed by Onyenaychi in Ealing, west London, last December.

Pc Madden, 23, was taken to hospital by helicopter and received emergency surgery for injuries to his neck, throat and face. He was left with permanent scarring.

PCSO Dolata, 27, needed 12 stitches to his head.

Fellow PCSO Steven Constable was slashed twice but escaped serious injury.

Onyenaychi, of Wise Road, was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder, causing grevious bodily harm with intent, robbery and attempting to cause grevious bodily harm. He was ordered to serve at least 25 years for the attack on Pc Madden, and given a second life term with a concurrent minimum of 20 years for trying to murder PCSO Dolata.

Onyenaychi refused to leave his cell for the nine-day trial. The Recorder of London, Judge Peter Beaumont, said the defendant had not shown any remorse.

Onyenaychi was on licence at the time, having been jailed for two years for causing death by dangerous driving while high on drugs.

He had previously attacked a prison officer using a pencil and committed violent offences since the age of 12.

Det Ch Insp John McFarlane branded him “one of the most dangerous men in Britain”.

The attack on the officers was the culmination of a five-day violent crime spree.

Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, said 6ft 2in Onyenaychi became agitated when challenged about his ticket on a bus in New Broadway.

Soon support officers recognised him as a man wanted for a previous attack.

Pc Madden was attacked when he tried to arrest him.

Four days before, Onyenaychi stabbed a man five times in Brentford, west London.