Jurors were shown footage of Dawood Safi, 28, engaged in a knife attack that killed a dog walker and injured his landlord, just two days after doctors determined he did not require hospitalisation for mental health concerns.
Safi, an Afghan migrant who arrived in Britain in 2020, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Wayne Broadhurst, 49, and causing bodily harm to his landlord, Shahzad Farrukh, 45, and a 14-year-old boy. He denies attempting to murder Mr. Farrukh and the teenager.
On October 27 of the previous year, Safi fatally stabbed Mr. Broadhurst in Uxbridge, West London, while he was walking his dog. CCTV footage captured Safi wielding a knife and attacking Mr. Broadhurst in the neck and chest. Witnesses described Safi as appearing "possessed" during the attack.
Minutes earlier, Safi had attacked his landlord, Mr. Farrukh, and a young boy. The 14-year-old boy reported that Safi swung the knife at his head, narrowly missing him. Neighbours and the teenager intervened to ward off Safi during the assault on Mr. Farrukh.
Two days prior to the incident, Safi had presented himself at a local surgery and Hillingdon Hospital, seeking help. He expressed concerns about family persecution and a pornography addiction. However, an approved mental health practitioner concluded that there was no evidence of a mental disorder necessitating hospital admission.
Following the attacks, four psychiatrists reviewed Safi and agreed he was in a "psychotic" state during the incident. This assessment led prosecutors to accept a guilty plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, dropping the murder charge. However, diminished responsibility is not a defence for attempted murder charges, for which Safi is currently on trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Prosecutors argue that Safi formed an intention to kill, even if it was a "psychotic" intent, pointing to his use of a dangerous weapon and the nature of the attacks on Mr. Farrukh, which included stabs to the neck, chest, and back. Safi reportedly discarded the knife after attacking his landlord but retrieved it to attack Mr. Broadhurst, an action the prosecution claims demonstrates his intent to continue the rampage.
Police officers responded to the scene and apprehended Safi using a taser.
The trial is ongoing.