Waltham Abbey: "I could have so easily lost my son that day"

That horrific thought goes through my head and it’s why I want to tell people to stop carrying knives.
Is it really worth risking someone’s life?

A mum has spoken after the man who stabbed her teenage son in broad daylight as he walked to the shops with his friends was jailed.

It’s such a relief that he is now behind bars.
If I’m honest I didn’t think he would be caught, but I’m so grateful to the detectives from Essex Police for their dedication, support and determination which ensured we got justice and can start to move forward with our lives.

The young victim had been walking with his friends near a parade of shops in Hillhouse, Waltham Abbey, at just before 8pm on Wednesday 11 June last year.

Collins Mufuta called out to the victim and repeatedly punched him, the teenager ran away, but the defendant caught up with him, continued the vicious assault and stabbed the boy in the leg before fleeing.

Thankfully the injury to his thigh was not life-threatening.

Loughton CID launched an investigation and, despite Mufuta covering his face during the attack, he was identified through extensive and meticulous CCTV work, supported by forensic and digital evidence which enabled police to match his clothing and other key information.

The 22-year-old, of no fixed address, was arrested the following month by patrolling officers in Waltham Abbey.

He refused to answer any questions during interview, but charges were authorised and he was remanded into custody.

Despite initially denying the offences, he was faced with overwhelming evidence against him and when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court in December, he pled guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place.

At the same court on Monday 19 January he was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison.

Detective Constable Leonardo Pilato, who led the investigation, said:

This was an unprovoked knife attack on a teenage boy in broad daylight on a busy shopping parade in Waltham Abbey.
The victim has suffered significant trauma as a result of this incident. Beyond the physical injuries, the emotional impact on him and his family will be long lasting.
The team worked diligently to identify Mufuta and built a strong evidential case to put before the court.
We know Incidents of this nature create fear within the wider community and threaten the sense of safety that every person is entitled to.
Essex Police is committed to tackling knife crime and protecting our communities. Those who choose to carry or use knives should expect firm and decisive action.
Knife crime destroys lives, and strong court sentences play an essential role in safeguarding the public and making clear that violence of this kind will not be tolerated.

The victim’s mum added:

That incident affects my son every day. He doesn’t like to talk about what happened, but while the physical scars are healing, the psychological scars are far more difficult to treat.
He doesn’t like to go out and has lost his confidence. He does attend college, but doesn’t feel safe making his own way there.
So he is facing his own prison sentence.
He didn’t even want to tell the police when it first happened, that’s how scared he was.
But he did and now his attacker is behind bars, and we can work on moving forward.

Victims' code