East Acton: Man jailed for 24 years for stabbing stranger in throat in unprovoked attack

A man who stabbed someone in an unprovoked attack outside an off-licence in East Acton has been jailed for 24 years.

Owen O’Driscoll, 29, knifed his victim in the throat as he stood in the doorway of Ankaran Food and Wine on Erconwald Street just before 9pm on July 25.

The victim, who was 25 years old at the time, suffered life threatening injuries.

Members of the public, including an off-duty doctor walking by, rushed to his aid. Another witness managed to wrestle the knife from O’Driscoll.

The witness managed to stem the flow of blood coming from the victim using a t-shirt and flagged down a taxi that took him to hospital.

A statement from the victim read in court said: “I know that so many people die from being stabbed and I could have been just another statistic, for that I am grateful.

“I will be eternally thankful to the members of public who treated me on scene and all the efforts of the medical staff thereafter.”

On December 3, O’Driscoll was sentenced to 24 years behind bars at Harrow Crown Court after being found guilty of attempted murder and possessing an offensive weapon.

He will serve a further three years on extended licence.

Joanna Burdett, from the CPS, said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack on a young man who was just out enjoying his evening.

“He had done nothing to warrant the vicious attack upon him – and had never before encountered Owen O’Driscoll.

“The prosecution case included CCTV evidence of the attack, along with strong testimony from the brave witnesses who attended to the victim and detained O’Driscoll on the night. They were commended by the Judge for their courage and quick-thinking actions, which saved the victim’s life.

“The CPS is committed to working with the police to bring violent offenders to justice.”

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