A 21-year-old South Sudanese asylum seeker has been sentenced to two years in prison for appearing outside a Greater Manchester school with a hatchet, a hammer, a kitchen knife, and a petrol can, with the intention of starting a fire to gain attention.
Douk Deng was stopped by police on August 8 of last year as he acted suspiciously outside Edgar Wood Academy in Middleton. The school was closed for summer holidays at the time. Prosecutors argued that Deng intended to set the building ablaze.
A workman reported seeing Deng carrying a petrol can and having a hammer tucked into his trousers. Deng then walked towards the back of the school building before being told to leave by the workman. Police were called and arrested him as he walked away. Officers seized the petrol can, which contained half a litre of petrol, along with the hammer, hatchet, and knife.
This incident occurred the day after Deng visited Holy Family Roman Catholic and Church of England College. He walked towards its entrance, looked through windows, and lingered in the foyer. Confronted by a builder, Deng pointed at the school’s crest and said, “Baby.” He then became irritated and damaged an intercom before leaving after the builder contacted police. Following this, Deng was seen at a nearby business park throwing two plant pots.
Deng pleaded guilty to seven charges, including possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, possessing an offensive weapon on school premises, possession of a bladed article on school premises, two counts of criminal damage, and having an article with intent to destroy or damage property. He was residing in Heywood, Greater Manchester.
During his defense, it was stated that Deng had not intended to cause harm. He reportedly became frustrated with his immigration status after being refused asylum three times. His defense counsel explained that Deng felt he had not received adequate assistance after arriving in the UK and being placed in shared housing with other asylum seekers. He had fled his home country under difficult circumstances and wished to work to support his wife and children.
His intention, according to his defense, was to create a scene to draw attention and seek help. It was also suggested that Deng believed the school building was a hospital or company premises, and his actions were described as "bizarre and not the act of a person with a carefully considered plan." The defense emphasized that he was not motivated by hostility towards the school community but was in crisis.
Sentencing Deng, Judge Bernadette Baxter described the circumstances as "bizarre." While acknowledging Deng had a difficult life and had likely experienced trauma, she noted that a psychiatric report found no mental health condition. The judge commented on Deng's status as a failed asylum seeker and suggested that the Home Office should address his situation, as he had been in custody for nearly a year.