Manhunt for chemical attacker stepped up as debate grows over why he was here

THE manhunt for a suspect wanted over a corrosive substance attack which left a girl and her mother with potentially life-changing injuries intensified today as it was revealed that he was granted asylum despite being a convicted sex offender.

- Anthony France and John Dunne

Abdul Ezedi, 35, from the Newcastle area, was described by police as having “significant injuries to the right side of his face”. He was still on the run having last been seen at a supermarket in north London on Wednesday evening.

The sighting came just over an hour after the attack on the 31-year-old woman, believed to be known to Ezedi, who was with her daughters, aged three and eight. All three remain in hospital.

Dozens of police dressed in protective “hazmat” suits last night raided an address in Leytonstone, east London. It is understood Ezedi had a connection to the area but was not found.

The suspect, who is reportedly from Afghanistan, was convicted of a sexual offence in 2018 and given a suspended sentence at Newcastle crown court. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed he was sentenced on January 9 of that year after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure.

Ezedi was allowed to stay in the UK after a priest confirmed he had converted to Christianity

He was granted asylum after two failed attempts, having reportedly travelled to the UK on a lorry in 2016, it is believed.