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| Islington police knife attack: Alex Traykov found guilty | Islington police knife attack: Alex Traykov found guilty |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A man has been found guilty of a knife attack on four officers who he had lured to a house with a fake 999 call. | |
| Alex Traykov reported a fight at a house in Islington, north London, before unleashing "extreme violence" on the Met Police officers in October. | |
| He was cleared of attempted murder, but convicted of three counts of wounding with intent and a fourth charge of attempted wounding with intent. | He was cleared of attempted murder, but convicted of three counts of wounding with intent and a fourth charge of attempted wounding with intent. |
| Traykov, 20, of Redhill in Surrey, will be sentenced on 10 May. | Traykov, 20, of Redhill in Surrey, will be sentenced on 10 May. |
| The court heard Traykov - who used the alias "Solomon" - lured officers to Liverpool Road on 6 October. | The court heard Traykov - who used the alias "Solomon" - lured officers to Liverpool Road on 6 October. |
| He then lay in wait with a large kitchen knife hidden behind his back in the hallway of his friend's flat. | He then lay in wait with a large kitchen knife hidden behind his back in the hallway of his friend's flat. |
| Within three minutes, four constables arrived on the doorstep unprepared for the "extreme violence" about to be unleashed on them, the Old Bailey heard. | Within three minutes, four constables arrived on the doorstep unprepared for the "extreme violence" about to be unleashed on them, the Old Bailey heard. |
| Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC told jurors: "Without hesitation or warning and certainly without the slightest provocation from the officers, he raised his right hand and proceeded to attack the officers." | Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC told jurors: "Without hesitation or warning and certainly without the slightest provocation from the officers, he raised his right hand and proceeded to attack the officers." |
| Traykov brought the blade down on to the head of PC Istarlin Said-Ali, 31, cutting her hand as she warded off a second blow. | Traykov brought the blade down on to the head of PC Istarlin Said-Ali, 31, cutting her hand as she warded off a second blow. |
| He lunged at PC Rafal Zedziora, 34, cutting his face and slashing the back of his neck. | He lunged at PC Rafal Zedziora, 34, cutting his face and slashing the back of his neck. |
| Traykov went on to attack PC Ben Thomson, 40, before he was Tasered by PC Launa Watkins, 39. | Traykov went on to attack PC Ben Thomson, 40, before he was Tasered by PC Launa Watkins, 39. |
| The former Winchester University history student said he was so "high" on strong cannabis he was not thinking straight. | The former Winchester University history student said he was so "high" on strong cannabis he was not thinking straight. |
| He claimed he had called 999 to play a "prank" on his friend then forgotten all about it and made crumpets with jam. | He claimed he had called 999 to play a "prank" on his friend then forgotten all about it and made crumpets with jam. |
| After his conviction, Det Insp Kate Stannard described Traykov as "a very dangerous individual" and said the attack was "frenzied and violent". | |
| She added: "This case highlights the very real risk that police officers can be confronted with on a daily basis and the courage and professionalism officers demonstrate when doing their job." |