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Mum reveals ‘pure terror’ of seeing daughter stabbed in London attack

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3 months ago

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Mum reveals ‘pure terror’ of seeing daughter stabbed in London attack

Laila Johnson, 11, has returned to school on the NSW far south coast just a week after a terrifying stabbing attack in a busy London shopping square.

Laila’s mother Sam Johnon has recounted the “pure terror” of watching her daughter being attacked from behind as she left a toy store in Leicester Square last Monday.

“It was just pure terror … well disbelief,” Ms Johnson said.

“[London] is somewhere you would think would be a pretty safe place to go and visit.”

Laila was taken to hospital and received plastic surgery for what the Metropolitan Police called non-life-threatening injuries.

Sam Johnson says her daughter Laila has made a “pretty remarkable” recovery. (ABC South East NSW: Floss Adams)

Ms Johnson said she didn’t have much time to think when the sudden attack occurred.

“I don’t think you get to choose your reaction in something like that,” Ms Johnson said.

“It was just all systems go. It’s just, ‘What needs to happen right now to prevent this from being even worse?'”

A man has since been charged with attempted murder over the attack.

Quick reactions from passers-by

Laila’s mother thanked the security guard Abdullah, who was one of the passers-by who helped Laila during the attack.

“He sprang into action very quickly, and I went for Lai and he went for the man,” Ms Johnson said.

“We we’re able to create a bit of distance… between them.

“He calls her his ‘little sister’ and I think that they’ll have a pretty special relationship going forward.”

A man looks at the camera with a neutral expression. Behind him a canal and a restaurant are visible.

Abdullah was hailed a “hero” after he tackled a knife-wielding man in London. (ABC News: Adrian Wilson)

‘Incredibly supported’

The Johnson’s were two weeks into a holiday when the London attack occurred.

The mother-daughter pair and a group of friends had travelled to Paris to see the Matildas play at the Olympics before reaching London to attend a Taylor Swift concert.

Laila was discharged from hospital last Tuesday.

At that point, the concert on Thursday was the last thing on their minds.

But Ms Johnson said a police officer, who Laila had a “pretty special bond” with, was adamant she made it to the concert.

“He said, ‘You’re not leaving London without doing what you came for,'” Laila’s mother said.

“And he worked with Wembley security to create an experience for her where she could go and that she could feel safe.”

A group of girls in pink hats at a concert.

Laila still attended the Taylor Swift concert last week.  (Supplied: Sam Johnson)

Matilda’s player Sam Kerr even sent her well-wishes to the 11-year-old in a video message.

“[Laila] is so grateful for the people that have helped her,” Ms Johnson said.

“She is doing phenomenally in those circumstances. She’s a very resilient girl.”

A young girl wearing a hat, in front of flowers and grass.

Laila Johnson was randomly attacked in London last week.  (Supplied: Sam Johnson)

Return to normal life

The Johnson family returned to their home at Candelo on the NSW far south coast on the weekend.

Ms Johnson said her daughter was determined to return to normal life, even resuming her role as the lead in a local production of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ earlier this week.

Laila returned to school on Thursday. 

“She just wants to be back to normal, back to her friends, back playing soccer and music and all the things she enjoys,” Ms Johnson said.

“She’s always been a remarkably mature child.

“We’re just looking at getting her the support she needs now… we’ll use her as a guide.”

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