Notting Hill carnival 'hero' identified

The identity of a man pictured attempting to trip an alleged knife attacker at the Notting Hill carnival has been revealed as former Russian policeman, Valentine Simatchenko.

The incident occurred on Monday as 20-year-old Rio Andre was attacked in Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill and suffered stab wounds to his abdomen and hand. A 16-year-old boy appeared at West London Youth Court on Wednesday accused of grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

Pictured attempting to stop the alleged attacker, Mr Simatchenko, 55, told The Sun: “It happened so fast and I just acted instinctively. All I wanted to do was help the police try and stop him.”

Holding a camera and a number of shopping bags, Mr Simatchenko kicked out as the suspect ran past. “I’m unemployed and I know how hard life can be – but there is never any excuse for violence like that,” he added. The 55-year-old had been enjoying the carnival with wife Marina, 53, when the incident occurred.

Mr Simatchenko moved to the UK as an asylum seeker in 1996, previously fighting in the Chechnyan civil war. “Life in Chechnya was very very tough,” he admitted. “We were at war and I saw some terrible things. I escaped to the UK because my life was constantly in danger”.
 
Stabbed in the stomach during the Chechnyan conflict, Mr Simatchenko admitted, “Seeing a boy with a knife was nothing compared to those horrors. I just acted instinctively.”

The accused 16-year-old boy has been remanded in custody to reappear in court on 28 September. Four other men, three aged 20 and the other 21, have been bailed in connection with the inquiry and will also return to court in September.