Son Najiib Raytaan Accused of Stabbing Mum Amaal on Willesden Bus

Key Points

• A 25-year-old man, Najiib Raytaan, appeared in court accused of murdering his 50-year-old mother, Amaal Raytaan, by stabbing her in the back on Pound Lane in Willesden, north-west London.
• The incident occurred on January 31 at around 4pm, witnessed allegedly by a London bus driver and passengers.
• Amaal Raytaan visited her son’s home in Willesden, then ran out banging on neighbours’ doors, pursued by Najiib Raytaan on an e-scooter while holding a large knife.
• Multiple 999 calls were made after the stabbing; emergency services, including Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service, attended but pronounced her dead at 4.34pm.
• Najiib Raytaan fled on the e-scooter, was arrested at around 8am the next day after returning to his flat in Harlesden Road, and charged on Monday with murder and possession of a bladed article in public.
• On Wednesday, he appeared at the Old Bailey before Judge Nigel Lickley KC; a plea hearing is set for April 22, with a provisional trial on August 3 at Winchester Crown Court or October 5 at the Old Bailey.
• Raytaan, wearing a grey sweater, confirmed his identity and was remanded in custody; family members attended court with specialist officer support.
• Prosecutor Nadeem Holland referred to the victim as the defendant’s mother during the hearing; the Metropolitan Police had not officially released her identity, but it appears in court documents.
• Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Woodsford, leading the investigation for the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, stated thoughts are with the victim and family, thanked public for first aid and calls, noted a suspect arrested within hours, no wider public risk indicated.
• Detective Superintendent Tony Bellis, responsible for Brent borough policing, called the incident tragic and deeply concerning, with thoughts for family, friends, and those affected.

Willesden (North London News) February 4, 2026 – A 25-year-old man has appeared in court accused of chasing and fatally stabbing his mother in the back in front of horrified bus passengers on a busy North London street, as detailed in reports from MyLondon.​

Najiib Raytaan, 25, allegedly murdered 50-year-old Amaal Raytaan after she visited his home in Willesden, north-west London, on the afternoon of January 31. Soon after arriving, she ran out and banged on neighbours’ doors, pursued by her son on an e-scooter while he held a large knife, according to court proceedings at the Old Bailey. Emergency services received multiple 999 calls after the driver of a bus and passengers allegedly witnessed her being stabbed in the back at around 4pm on Pound Lane, Willesden.​

Officers from the Metropolitan Police attended alongside London Ambulance Service personnel and found Amaal Raytaan suffering from stab wounds. Despite efforts by emergency responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene at 4.34pm. The defendant fled the scene on the e-scooter and was arrested around 8am the following day after returning to his flat in Harlesden Road, the Old Bailey heard.​

Raytaan was charged on Monday with murder and possession of a bladed article in public. On Wednesday, he appeared before Judge Nigel Lickley KC for a hearing to set the case timetable.​

Who is Najiib Raytaan and What Charges Does He Face?

Najiib Raytaan, aged 25, faces charges of murder and possession of a bladed article in public, as outlined in court documents from the Old Bailey hearing. He appeared in court wearing a grey sweater and spoke only to confirm his identity before being remanded into custody. Prosecutor Nadeem Holland referred to the victim as “the defendant’s mother” during the proceedings, noting her identity from charging documents, though the Metropolitan Police had not officially released it publicly.​

As reported in the MyLondon coverage, Raytaan allegedly chased Amaal Raytaan after she fled his home, culminating in the fatal stabbing witnessed publicly. The incident’s details emerged fully during the Old Bailey hearing, where the sequence of events was laid out methodically.​

Family members of the Raytaan family attended the court supported by specialist officers, underscoring the personal tragedy amid legal proceedings.​

What Happened on Pound Lane in Willesden?

The stabbing took place at approximately 4pm on January 31 on Pound Lane, Willesden, a busy part of north-west London. Amaal Raytaan, 50, had visited her son’s home in Willesden shortly before the incident. She then ran out, banging on neighbours’ doors in apparent distress, pursued by Najiib Raytaan on an e-scooter brandishing a large knife.​

Multiple 999 calls reported the attack, with the bus driver and passengers allegedly seeing her stabbed in the back. This public nature of the event, in front of commuters, heightened the shock value, as emergency services rushed to the scene.​

Paramedics and police found her with stab wounds; she was declared dead at 4.34pm despite intervention. Raytaan fled immediately on the e-scooter, evading capture until his return to his Harlesden Road flat around 8am the next morning.​

When and Where Did Police Arrest the Suspect?

Najiib Raytaan was arrested at approximately 8am on February 1 after returning to his flat in Harlesden Road, as told to the Old Bailey. This came within hours of the incident, with charges filed on Monday. The swift apprehension followed his flight on the e-scooter from Pound Lane.​

The arrest site, Harlesden Road, lies nearby in the Brent borough area, facilitating rapid police action. He remains in custody following the Wednesday hearing.​

What Did the Court Hearing Decide?

On Wednesday, Raytaan appeared before Judge Nigel Lickley KC at the Old Bailey to set a timetable for the case. The judge scheduled a plea hearing for April 22 and a provisional trial date of either August 3 at Winchester Crown Court or October 5 at the Old Bailey.​

Raytaan confirmed his identity calmly and was remanded in custody without bail. The hearing focused on procedural timelines rather than evidence presentation. Family attended with police family liaison support.​

Who is the Victim and How Was She Identified?

The victim, named Amaal Raytaan, 50, was identified via court documents outlining the charges against her son. Prosecutor Nadeem Holland described her explicitly as “the defendant’s mother” in court. The Metropolitan Police had withheld official public release of her identity prior to this.​

She had visited Najiib’s Willesden home on January 31 afternoon, triggering the chase and stabbing. Her death at the scene marked a tragic end to what began as a family visit.​

What Have Police Said About the Incident?

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Woodsford, leading the investigation from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said earlier this week:

“Firstly, my thoughts are with the victim and her family at this incredibly difficult time. This incident happened in a busy part of Willesden, and I’d also like to thank the members of the public who provided first aid and called the emergency services.”

She added:

“A suspect was arrested within several hours of the incident and he remains in custody. Our priority is to establish the circumstances surrounding what happened. However, based on our enquiries so far, there is nothing to suggest any wider risk to the public.”​

Detective Superintendent Tony Bellis, responsible for local policing in Brent borough, added: “An incident of this nature is tragic and deeply concerning, and our thoughts remain with the victim’s family, friends and all those affected.”​

These statements, as reported by MyLondon, emphasise community support and investigative focus without speculating on motives.​

How Did Witnesses and Emergency Services Respond?

Witnesses included the London bus driver and passengers who allegedly saw the stabbing directly, prompting multiple 999 calls. Members of the public provided first aid, as thanked by DCI Woodsford.​

London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police arrived promptly, but Amaal Raytaan succumbed to injuries at 4.34pm. The response highlighted effective public cooperation in a high-traffic area.​

What is the Broader Context in Brent and Willesden?

The incident unfolded in Willesden, part of Brent borough, known for its dense residential and transport hubs like Pound Lane. DS Bellis noted its rarity, calling it “deeply concerning” for the community. Police assure no wider threat, focusing enquiries on circumstances.​

This event shocks locals, given its visibility on a busy street during daytime hours.​

What Happens Next in the Legal Proceedings?

The plea hearing is fixed for April 22, with trial potentially in August at Winchester or October at the Old Bailey. Judge Nigel Lickley KC oversaw the timetable setting. Najiib Raytaan remains remanded, with full evidence to emerge later.​

Ongoing Met investigation prioritises family support and fact-finding.​