Police located Leah Campbell-Knechtel hiding under a mattress during a 48-hour manhunt following a stabbing incident in north London. Campbell-Knechtel, 28, was arrested on January 20 and subsequently charged with attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent. Her accomplice, Jawad Naser, 47, was arrested earlier.
Authorities were initially called to a flat in Islington at 7:03 p.m. on January 18 after Naser stabbed a 66-year-old man multiple times. The victim had reportedly given Campbell-Knechtel thousands of pounds over the course of an apparent relationship and provided additional funds when she requested financial assistance. The dispute arose when the victim asked for the money back.
Campbell-Knechtel then visited the victim's flat, ostensibly to reconcile, but instead allowed Naser entry and provided him with a kitchen knife. Naser proceeded to stab the victim multiple times, inflicting injuries that required emergency surgery and were described as life-threatening.
Detectives quickly identified Naser and Campbell-Knechtel as suspects. Naser was apprehended at his home in Muswell Hill approximately four hours after the attack, with blood-stained trainers recovered as evidence. Following Naser's arrest, a manhunt for Campbell-Knechtel commenced, leading officers to a Muswell Hill address.
Body-camera footage released by the Metropolitan Police shows officers entering the property on January 20 at 12:36 p.m. Officers announced their presence, ordering Campbell-Knechtel to reveal herself. Upon searching a bedroom, they lifted a mattress to find her concealed beneath a wooden bedframe.
Campbell-Knechtel was arrested for attempted murder. Both she and Naser were later found guilty of grievous bodily harm but not attempted murder. They were sentenced to ten years' imprisonment at the Old Bailey on August 14.
Detective Chief Inspector Gemma Alger stated that Campbell-Knechtel's attempt to evade justice by hiding was unsuccessful, with officers quickly tracking her down. She emphasized that Campbell-Knechtel, while not wielding the knife, facilitated the attack by lulling the victim into a false sense of security, and her role was considered equally serious in the sentencing.