An off-duty volunteer police officer has been hailed a hero for apprehending a knifeman who carried out a brutal attack on a woman and two children
An off-duty volunteer police officer has been hailed a hero for apprehending a knifeman who carried out a brutal attack on a woman and two children. Kulvinder Ram, 49, was found guilty on Tuesday of the attempted murders of a woman and toddler and inflicting grievous bodily harm to a young girl with intent.
The woman suffered a 10cm cut to her neck and defensive wounds to her hands during the assault by Ram in Dagenham, Essex, on the afternoon of October 25 2024. The girl received a “vicious” wound to her face and the little boy was left “fighting for his life” with his throat cut almost all the way around, the Old Bailey heard.
Ram was detained at the scene by an off-duty sergeant in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) who was walking home from work. When Special Police Sergeant Seff Serroukh saw the woman and girl running in the road covered in blood he initially thought it was a Halloween prank.
He said: “I quickly ran towards them and was immediately struck by the extent of their injuries and the amount of blood. When I became aware children were involved, I knew I had to act quickly.
“I had no safety equipment, no colleagues to assist but as a father and a police officer, it was just a natural instinct to respond without hesitation, even without knowing the risk. As I approached the house, the suspect left the property and I managed to place him onto the ground with his hands behind his back, which was difficult as he was bigger and heavier than me.
“I was already on the phone to 999 and luckily I managed to keep him detained until colleagues arrived to take over. I have been in the MSC for six years but this was by far the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with. Most importantly the victims survived and I’m just glad someone was there to help when needed.”
The court heard that Ram had since been found to have been suffering from schizophrenia. Before the incident, his mental health had declined and he had been behaving “oddly”, rearranging people’s shoes and appearing fearful of cameras watching him.
His family had been trying to get him help through his GP who had visited him, but Ram consistently denied anything was wrong, jurors were told.
Prosecutor Henrietta Paget KC said Ram was mentally unwell but not to the extent that he did not know what he was doing. The jury reached unanimous verdicts on Tuesday after deliberating for six hours.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC remanded Ram, from Dagenham, into custody to be sentenced on a date to be fixed in June.
Following his conviction, Detective Constable Lewis Whitlock, from Scotland Yard, said: “Our investigation left us with no doubt that Ram intended to kill those he targeted, and we are pleased the jury has reached the same verdict based on the evidence we presented at court.
“I must also recognise the role of SPS Serroukh, who ran towards danger without any hesitation for his own personal safety. Without him, I have no doubt that Ram would have gone on to inflict further and most likely fatal injuries.
“His actions reflect the very best of the Met. His bravery must be commended and I know the family extend their thanks to him too.
“Similarly, a member of the public who ran into the house and attempted to stem the bleeding of one of the victims played a major role in saving their life.”
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