Wembley ice cream seller suffered ‘catastrophic injuries’

An ice cream seller suffered “catastrophic injuries” when he was attacked from behind and repeatedly stabbed on the ground, a court has heard.

Shazad Khan, 41, was allegedly set upon by Zaher Zaarour in Monks Park in Wembley, north-west London, on the evening of 19 August. Mr Khan was treated for stab wounds but died at the scene.

Mr Zaarour was arrested at his home the following day and charged with murder and possession of a blade.

The 26-year-old, of North Circular Road, Brent, appeared at the Old Bailey and spoke only to confirm his identity. He was remanded into custody and is due at the same court on 12 November to enter a plea.

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At about 18:00 BST, Mr Khan was in his van when he was approached by the defendant who engaged him in a discussion, it is claimed.

He moved off but was approached again by Mr Zaarour and words were exchanged, prosecutor Jacob Hallam KC said.

Outlining the incident in court, Mr Hallam said: “The defendant pulled out a large knife, about 16cm (6in) in length and 3cm (1in) wide, which he had down his trousers.

“He reached round the front of Mr Khan and stabbed him to the right side of his chest. That blow alone caused catastrophic injuries to Mr Khan. That was caught on CCTV.”

Witnesses allegedly saw the defendant cut Mr Khan’s throat and repeatedly stab the left side of his body with “severe force”, the Old Bailey heard.

Mr Hallam said the stab wounds were “consistent with a focused and intense attack while Mr Khan was on the ground and the defendant was over him”.

During the attack, a number of Mr Khan’s ribs were fractured, he added.

Members of the public called emergency services, who were unable to save Mr Khan due to the “nature and number” of his injuries, Mr Hallam said.

Details of the incident were heard as Mr Zaarour made his first appearance at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing before Judge Nigel Lickley KC.