A teen followed a young mum before stabbing her in front of her five-year-old son in a brutal attack.
Hasan Arif, who started behaving erratically in the days leading up to the horror assault, has since been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. In August 2020, the woman was walking hand-in-hand with her little boy in Withington when she spotted Arif walking behind her, Manchester Evening News reports.
The then 24-year-old crossed the road and issued a warning to the offender, however he continued to approach her, Minshull Street Crown Court heard. Realising that he was now right behind her, she turned round and saw his 'emotionless face, at which point he suddenly stabbed her with a large knife.
He struck her repeatedly and she fell to the ground, with the terrified victim trying desperately to kick him away. Thankfully, a member of the public hear the woman screaming from the down the road and bravely intervened, before chasing Arif away.
The 19-year-old pled guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was handed a hospital order with a restriction order due to his mental health diagnosis. Prosecutor Sara Haque said Arif started showing signs of mental health issues at 14 when he bullying comments at school led him to stop eating.
His behaviour became increasingly worse, with his mum noticing a significant change in his mental state three to four weeks before the attack.
“She says his behaviour increased, he was excessively using his phone to the extent his family took it from him, he was pacing around the house and drinking a gallon of milk saying it was to build up his muscles to protect himself,” she said.
On August 29, Arif left home in the morning carrying a rucksack. Later that day at 1.20pm, the woman walking with her son noticed the defendant walking behind her.
“She turned left onto Rudheath Avenue, and a quarter of the way down became aware the male had got closer to her,” Ms Haque said. “She picked up her pace and became aware he was a metre behind her, which made her feel uncomfortable, so she said: “This motherf***** taking the p***” to warn him away.”
She crossed the road and he went with her, so she crossed back over, but he again followed. It was at this point she turned to face Arif and was attacked. The victim was left with six stab wounds to her leg which required surgery.
In a statement, the mum said: “Since the incident I have felt so much guilt in relation to my son. Knowing my five-year-old child saw this is devastating.
“For months after I had heightened anxiety, every time I step outside I get heart palpitations and struggle to breathe. At the time I thought he was going to kill me, and I thought my son was going to witness my murder.
"Why me? Why attack me? What have I done?”
The court heard that Arif had no previous convictions and had not shown any signs of violence in the past. Giving evidence, psychiatrist Dr Henry Ashcroft said that Arif was showing symptoms of underlying paranoia and reduced cognitive abilities at the time.
“His behaviour was becoming increasingly bizarre and his family were extremely concerned about him,” he said. “The diagnosis of schizophrenia and his mental state at the time were a significant factor in the incident that occurred.”
Mitigating, Waheed Baber said: “As soon as the CCTV was released, his family contacted the police immediately. Three lives have been ruined - mental illness is at the very forefront.”
Arif, formerly of Stanthorne Avenue, but now residing at Edenfield Hospital, was sentenced to a hospital order alongside a restriction order. This means he will detained in hospital while undergoing treatment and following his release, will be monitored for the rest of his life.
In sentencing, Judge Tina Landale said: “She was a complete stranger to you. She was walking in broad daylight with her young son when you began to follow her.
“You pulled a large knife you brought with you out of your rucksack and used it to commit a ferocious attack on her.
“You stabbed her repeatedly aiming for the chest and stomach, and even when she fell to the ground and courageously kicked out in desperation to protect herself, fearing she would lose her life, you continued stabbing her. She showed tremendous courage.”
Judge Landale also commended the actions of the member of the public who intervened.
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