Trainee teacher relives 30ft leap to escape knifeman

A trainee teacher relived her terror today as she leapt from a third floor window to escape knife-wielding burglars.

Speaking via a satellite link from Italy, Patricia Osie-Assiby, who was disabled for life by the 30ft fall, said she had been given just two minutes to "show them where the money is or be stabbed".

Having already been beaten by one of the raiders, she decided the death-defying jump was her only option when his accomplice pulled out a long knife. So, when briefly left alone, she lost no time clambering on to the bed they overturned ransacking the flat, and stepped on to the window sill.

"I was crying and shaking. I was so afraid for my life... I just jumped," she told London's Harrow Crown Court. I landed on my feet, on concrete, tried to get up but collapsed. My legs and back were very painful."

The 34-year-old woman said she immediately started screaming for help. Seconds later a little boy ran from a nearby flat. "I told him to go for his mum and call the police," said Ms Osie-Assiby. She was later rushed to hospital with three fractured vertebrae in her back.

But three days later one of the alleged burglars, Eric Damoa, is said to have returned with two others to threaten the remaining occupants - including a 13-year-old girl - with a gun.

Damoa, 29, of Rodgers Road, Canning Town, Frank Agyemang, 30, of Mulberry Court, Leytonstone - both east London - and Charles Antwi, 31, of Exchange Walk, Pinner, Middlesex, variously deny aggravated burglary, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

Nigel Prescod, 26, of Queensbridge Road, Hackney, east London, had also been in the dock but then admitted taking part in the first raid.olvemen