Witness recounts ‘horrifying’ ordeal after saving woman from frenzied attack
A man who saved a woman from a frenzied attack has spoken out about the ‘horrifying’ ordeal days after the perpetrator was sentenced.
Joel Victorious, 51, from Waleran Flats, Southwark, was charged with attempted murder and sentenced to life in prison at the Old Bailey on September 5.
In the early hours of October 22, 2023, Christopher Clayton, 41, was inside his home in Waleran Flats, when he heard a woman screaming and banging on his front door.
He said: “She was screaming for help saying someone was trying to kill her.
“I opened the door and she was covered in blood, all over her face, and she had a child with her on the doorstep.
“She was holding a hammer – she said Joel had hit her over the head with it. ”
During the attack, Victorious had struck the victim’s head repeatedly with a hammer, the Met said.
Mr Clayton said he got the woman and her child inside the flat and immediately rang the police.
But, he said: “As soon as I got them off the doorstep I looked to my right and Joel was coming up the stairs towards my flat holding two knives.
“He had blood all over his stomach like he had been stabbed.”
Victorious had stabbed himself during the frenzied incident, the Met said.
Mr Clayton said: “I ran the mum and her kid out of the flat through another entrance onto the main road whilst I was still on the phone to the police and said they needed to get there quick.”
Mr Clayton said Victorious chased them onto the road. But, suddenly he turned back and collapsed at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the block of flats.
He said: “Suddenly police officers and ambulances were there. I told them where Joel had collapsed.
“I have never seen anything like it, the whole thing was horrific.”
Officers responding to the incident discovered the victim covered in blood lying on the pavement with life-threatening injuries and performed emergency first aid.
Police also provided life-saving support to Victorious.
The victim, who has not been named and wished to retain her anonymity, said: “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to officers at Peckham police station for their swift and heroic actions in saving my life.
“Their professionalism and bravery during an incredibly difficult time will forever be remembered.
“A special thanks goes to Simone Kidd, the investigator. Thanks to her and her team, I can move forward knowing that those responsible have been held accountable.
“This has been a challenging journey but I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the support I have received.”
Pictured top: The crime scene cordoned off with police tape following the incident in October 2023, Christopher Clayton (Picture: Christopher Clayton)