A 22-year-old Somali migrant is accused of repeatedly stabbing a welfare officer at an asylum hotel in west London, a court has heard. Abdifatah Yusuf Adani allegedly attacked Aaron Gomes with a large kitchen knife at the Stanwell Hotel on Saturday, August 15, around 6:30 p.m.
Armed officers responded to the incident and found Mr. Gomes, who is in his 30s, with what were initially described as life-threatening injuries. According to prosecutor Lucy Lumsden, Mr. Gomes was stabbed five times, with three wounds to his leg and two to his upper body. One of the chest wounds was described as significant.
Mr. Gomes, employed as a welfare officer at the hotel, was taken to the hospital where his condition is now stable and his injuries are no longer considered life-threatening. He had lost a significant amount of blood and was reportedly in and out of consciousness at the scene.
Adani, who reportedly entered the UK via a small boat, was arrested and subsequently charged with attempted murder. He appeared at Staines Magistrates' Court wearing a grey tracksuit and was assisted by a Somali interpreter. He confirmed his name, date of birth, and address before being remanded into custody. His next hearing is scheduled for September 17 at Guildford Crown Court.
The Stanwell Hotel has been used to house asylum seekers for the past four years. There are current proposals to refurbish and extend the building to convert it back into a hotel for business and leisure guests. If approved, the asylum seekers would be relocated. The Home Office has stated its commitment to ending the use of hotels for asylum accommodation and is working to secure alternative housing.