Afghan Migrant Who Fatally Stabbed Dog Walker, Attacked Landlord, Sentenced to Hospital Order

An Afghan migrant who fatally stabbed a dog walker and attacked his landlord has been handed a hospital order after being found to be in the grips of psychosis. Dawood Safi, 28, who arrived in the UK illegally six years ago, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Wayne Broadhurst on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He was also found guilty of the attempted murder of his landlord, Shahzad Farrukh, and of assaulting a 14-year-old boy.

The stabbing spree occurred in October last year, beginning at Safi's landlord's home and spilling into the street. Safi attacked Mr. Farrukh with a kitchen knife after being told he had to leave his rented accommodation. Moments later, Safi encountered Mr. Broadhurst, who was walking his dog, and fatally stabbed him in a "frenzied and entirely unprovoked attack."

Witnesses described Safi as appearing "dead between the eyes" and "like he was possessed" during the rampage. Mr. Broadhurst, a street sweeper for Ealing Council, was stabbed 14 times. His dog, Harry, remained by his side as he bled to death. The 14-year-old boy caught in the incident managed to escape and seek refuge with neighbors.

Safi, who claimed to be 17 when he arrived in the UK on the back of a lorry in 2020, was granted asylum in 2022. However, it is believed he was older than he stated. He initially claimed his father was murdered by the Taliban, but later told a psychiatrist his father's murder was carried out by a family member, an event he claimed to have witnessed as a child.

Prosecutors stated that at the time of the attacks, Safi had experienced a "collapse in his mental health," suffering from auditory hallucinations, paranoia, and delusional beliefs. He had sought help from his GP, a hospital, and the police in the days preceding the incident. A psychiatrist determined that Safi's psychosis was the sole cause of his actions.

Sentencing Safi at Southwark Crown Court, the Honourable Mrs. Justice Cutts stated that a prison sentence was not appropriate. Safi is expected to spend "several years" in a high-security hospital and may never be released into the community. The judge also recommended Safi be deported if he were ever to be released, noting, "Your continued presence in the UK is to its detriment."

Mr. Broadhurst's long-term partner described the devastating impact of his death, stating that her future had been "stolen" from her and that painful reminders of his absence persist. The victim's family expressed their difficulty in accepting the manslaughter plea, having initially wanted Safi convicted of murder.