A man injured a police officer and tried to kill a Haringey social worker

Sulai Mann, 35, attacked Thembu Nkomo, 61, with two pocket knives at a flat in Wood Green on August 6, 2021.

Mr Nkomo was trying to carry out welfare checks on three children for Haringey Council at the time of the stabbings.

The social worker asked for police support due to continuing difficulties with the family.

Police stormed the flat before the man attacked Mr Nkomo after hiding in the communal area.

Mr Nkomo was stabbed eight times and PC David Turpin and Luke Smith were also injured when they went to his aid.

In his defense, the defendant claimed that, although he did not live at that address at the time, he was acting to protect the residents.

After a trial at the Old Bailey in October last year, he was found guilty of attempted murder and attempted wounding of PS Turpin and PS Smith.

On Monday (March 20), Judge Michael Topolski said doctors had diagnosed the defendant with relapsing-remitting schizophrenia.

He decided to place the accused in the hospital for an indefinite period.

After the attack, Mr Nkomo felt “vulnerable” and “deeply traumatised” and decided not to return to social work, the judge said.

PC Turpin was forced to take several months off as he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the attack.

Judge Topolski said that he considers the defendant dangerous to society.

He added: “The accused carried out a premeditated and potentially fatal attack on an unsuspecting social worker and then two police officers.

“The jury’s verdict confirmed that in attacking Mr Nkomo, the accused intended to kill him and to cause serious harm to the police officers if he was able to do so.

“It was pure coincidence that one of the eight stab wounds did not leave Mr Nkoma with much more serious injuries.

“In my opinion, this attack would not have occurred if the defendant did not suffer from a pre-existing, ongoing, delusional, untreated mental disorder.”