A man who carried out a “frenzied attack” on a woman and her three children at a Bowes Park home has been given a life sentence.

Liban Malhamoub, 45, of Livingstone Road, admitted four counts of attempted murder at the Old Bailey in January, having previously denied the crimes, and was sentenced last week.

The court heard how Malhamoub inflicted at least 50 knife wounds on his victims – a mother, aged in her 30s, and her three daughters, all aged under twelve – subjecting them to “extreme violence” and inflicting devastating injury. All parties involved were known to each other but the victims cannot be named for legal reasons.

Police were called on Saturday 6th July 2019 to reports of an injured woman in the street in Livingstone Road. Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and the woman and three girls were found suffering from serious stab injuries.

They were taken to hospital where they received extensive medical treatment for their injuries. Remarkably, they all survived. Malhamoub was arrested at the scene and was charged with attempted murder two days later.

At court on Friday Malhamoub was handed a life term and told he would serve a minimum of 32 years behind bars. He had been on bail for an unrelated violent attack on a man outside a pub at the time of the Bowes Park attacks, and was also sentenced to seven years for wounding with intent in relation to that crime, to be served concurrently.

Detective Superintendent Adam Ghaboos said: “This is a tragic case in which a woman and three children suffered horrendous injuries in an unprovoked attack.

“I would like to commend their bravery and resilience. Their strength has been incredible.

“I would also like to thank local residents and the community for coming together and helping my officers with their investigation.

“This was a difficult inquiry for all of those involved, especially when we consider the age of the victims.”

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