Commuter who bravely tried to stop ‘you ain’t no Muslim bruv’ Tube knifeman denies he is a hero

A BRAVE commuter who was slashed in the throat as he tried to stop an Islamic State-inspired knifeman at a London Tube station says he "could have done more".

Dad-of-one David Pethers, 33, insist he's "no hero" after tackling Muhiddin Mire during a rampage at Leytonstone Underground in December.

Mr Pethers spoke out about the horrific attack ahead of Mire's sentencing for attempted murder today.

He said: "Having him being sentenced today is bringing it all back.

"I don't think I'm a hero at all.

"Anyone could have done it.

"In my mind I could have done more. I know it sounds silly but looking at the footage and going over it in my mind, I could have taken him down before."

Today, Somali-born Mire, 30, who is living at a secure psychiatric hospital, will be sentenced for attempted murder after being found guilty last month.

He targeted strangers at random in the ticket hall at Leytonstone Underground station in east London on December 5 last year.

When played clips of the attack filmed by a bystander, Mr Pethers said: "I can't really watch it.

"It has affected me quite a lot. I didn't realise that until I have had to talk about it now.

"I get hot and sweaty - I don't know how else to describe it."

Mire targeted 56-year-old musician Lyle Zimmerman as they travelled on the same train from Stratford to Leytonstone, where the knifeman lived alone in Sansom Road.

Mr Zimmerman stood out from the crowd in cowboy boots and a hat, carrying a mandolin in one hand and an amplifier in the other and with a guitar strapped to his back.

Mire followed him off the train and produced a black-handled knife with a serrated edge from his pocket.

As Mr Zimmerman approached the barriers, Mire grabbed him from behind and swung him around and on to the floor.

Mire then kicked him repeatedly around the head and body as a woman nearby called for him to stop.

As Mr Zimmerman lay defenceless on the ground, Mire crouched down and began to "saw" at his neck with the serrated blade in front of shocked passengers.

A junior doctor on his way home rushed to help stem the blood flowing from Mr Zimmerman's wounds as Mire went up to street level.

One onlooker shouted at him during the attack, "You ain't no Muslim, bruv", after Mire declared he was going to "spill blood" for his "Syrian brothers".

He continued to threaten members of the public before police arrived with Tasers.

Mr Pethers said: "I heard a commotion before I walked into the station.

"I saw all the blood, then the assailant going for someone.

"I started shouting to get his attention and it went from there.

"He turned to face me and we exchanged words but I can't remember what was said.

"We had a running battle.

"I swung at him - he swung at me.

"He caught me round the neck with his knife. He could have killed me but luckily he didn't.

"A lot of people ask me what was going through my mind, but I can't answer.

"It happened so fast. It's only when you go home and talk to your friends and family and see the relief on their faces that you realise what happened."

Mire is due to be sentenced for attempted murder today at the Old Bailey in London.

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