THIS is the stunning second a knifeman launched a vicious rampage in Marks & Spencer – stabbing a defenceless employee within the neck.
Munawar Hussain, 60, launched a brutal assault on the Burnley city centre department in December 2020, stabbing a retailer supervisor within the neck earlier than chasing her via the aisles like a scene from a horror movie.
Not content material with one sufferer, he then turned on a terrified buyer, stabbing her within the arm and making an attempt to plunge the knife into her again as she lay helpless on the ground.
Fortunately, the blade snapped off in her purse strap, sparing her life.
However the attacker wasn’t accomplished.
He fled the scene, solely to be heroically apprehended by a courageous safety guard and a few gutsy bystanders who weren’t about to let him get away.
When cops nabbed him, they discovered a chilling notice written in Urdu, which learn: “O Israel, you might be inflicting atrocities on Palestinians and Marks & Spencer serving to you financially.”
Hussain was clearly on a delusional mission, believing his vile actions would strike a blow in opposition to a excessive road store.
After being discovered responsible of tried homicide and wounding, this disturbed man even tried to kill once more—this time, a nurse within the safe unit the place he was being held.
Fortunately, the nurse managed to struggle him off, however the incident confirmed simply how harmful Hussain actually is.
At the moment, Decide Nicholas Dean KC sentenced him to a hospital order.
This implies he can solely be launched if the Secretary of State for Justice or the Psychological Well being Tribunal deem him secure—a day that may’t come quickly sufficient for his victims.
Retailer supervisor Samantha Worthington, who was left with a collapsed lung and a neck wound, bravely shared how the assault has shattered her life.
Breaking down in courtroom, she stated: “It modified every little thing.”
She will not get pleasure from life’s easy pleasures with out concern, dwelling in fixed panic that one thing horrible will occur once more.
Buyer Janet Dell, who was left with a broken arm and haunting reminiscences, stated: “I don’t assume I’ll ever neglect the fear from that second.”
The assault has left her so traumatised she will’t even set foot in Burnley city centre with out her husband.
This wasn’t Hussain’s first stab at violence.
Whereas within the safe unit at Guild Lodge, Preston, he viciously attacked a male nurse with a kitchen knife, claiming the nurse had “transformed from Islam to Christianity” and deserved to die.
Psychiatrists who assessed Hussain concluded that he suffers from a extreme psychological dysfunction, however that’s chilly consolation for his victims, who’re left choosing up the items of their shattered lives.
Decide Dean didn’t maintain again, slamming Hussain for attacking harmless individuals who had completely nothing to do along with his twisted beliefs.
The Decide stated: “You harmed, in a critical manner, individuals who on any foundation have been wholly harmless of any wrongdoing.” – making it clear that no delusional mission might ever justify his monstrous actions.
And in a uncommon gesture of gratitude, the choose awarded James Brayford, the heroic safety guard who helped apprehend Hussain, £2,000 in compensation—a small token for his braveness.
Chief Superintendent Sarah Kenwright of CTPNW stated: “Nobody ought to go to their place of job or out buying and concern for his or her lives.
“Sadly, this has been a actuality for 3 individuals, who’ve undoubtedly had their lives modified, each bodily and mentally, by Hussain’s actions.”
Hussain will now spend the foreseeable future in a safe hospital, the place he can not pose a risk to the general public.
However for his victims, the scars—each bodily and emotional—will final a lifetime.
Part 37 of the Psychological Well being Act
When is Part 37 used?A courtroom can challenge a “hospital order” beneath Part 37 of the Psychological Well being Act to ship an individual to a hospital for therapy as a substitute of jail. This may occasionally occur if:
The particular person has been convicted of against the law that would result in imprisonment.The particular person has a psychological dysfunction (reminiscent of psychological sickness or mind harm).The courtroom believes hospital therapy is extra applicable than imprisonment.
A hospital order may also be made if the particular person is “unfit to plead” attributable to their psychological situation. In some circumstances, if the particular person is taken into account a public danger, the courtroom might impose extra restrictions beneath Part 37/41.
How do the courts use Part 37?Courts require assessments by two docs to substantiate that the particular person wants hospital therapy. An permitted clinician should discover a hospital mattress inside 28 days, however the particular person might need to attend in jail if no mattress is obtainable. The courtroom might order the particular person to a safe hospital if obligatory.
How lengthy does Part 37 final?
As much as 6 months initially.Might be renewed for an additional 6 months, then each 12 months thereafter if obligatory.