A CHEMIST savagely beaten by a paranoid schizophrenic who then killed a police officer said: "It could have been me."

Pauline Jones was attacked by Sudanese Magdi Elgizouli in October, 1997, at her pharmacy in Tarring Road, Worthing.

Elgizouli was bailed by Worthing detectives to appear before magistrates the following month but days later killed 25-year-old PC Nina Mackay in London.

The killer was already on bail for assaulting a police officer and possession of a 7in knife when he beat up Mrs Jones, 43.

Adamning report was published yesterday into the fatal stabbing of PC Mackay by unemployed Elgizouli.

In its findings, the independent inquiry into the killing criticised the Metropolitan Police, social services, health services and local authorities in London.

But although the inquiry did not find fault with Sussex Police, chemist Pauline Jones says it should have.

She said: "If Elgizouli had been remanded in custody Nina Mackay would still be alive today."

Mrs Jones believes that if her husband David, 47, hadn't pulled Elgizouli off her, it might have been her he killed, not PC Mackay.

The couple were in Tarring Pharmacy with an assistant when Mrs Jones saw Elgizouli take a tooth brush.

When she confronted him, he brutally attacked her, punching her to the floor and kicking her. She needed hospital treatment for a split lip and severe bruising to her face.

Mrs Jones said: "I could tell that when he had me on the floor he really wanted to hurt me.

"I was told afterwards that he always had this knife with him and if David hadn't intervened I don't know what might have happened."

Elgizouli, who had a history of violence and severe mental illness, was bailed to appear before Worthing magistrates on November 20, 1997, to answer charges of actual bodily harm and theft.

But on October 24, while he was free on bail, he stabbed PC Nina Mackay as she broke into his East London flat as as part of an armed team sent to arrest Elgizouli for jumping bail granted by Highbury Corner magistrates.

Elgizouli pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to manslaughter and was sent to Rampton.

After the killing, Sussex Police said they had freed Elgizouli on bail because they had no concerns about him.

Aspokesman said: "A custody officer is only permitted to refuse a person bail in certain specific circumstances."

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