A Sudanese asylum seeker has been found guilty of threatening a Christian preacher with a blade at Hyde Park’s famous Speakers’ Corner.
Ahmed Mohammed, aged 35, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court following the incident involving Daniel Ayettey on 25 May last year.
The 35-year-old, who first arrived in Britain from Sudan in 2012, confronted Ayettey while the preacher stood on a ladder addressing onlookers at the historic free speech venue.
Mohammed attempted to pull the preacher from his elevated position before producing a knife and threatening him.
He was remanded in custody and faces sentencing on 16 January.
The confrontation began after a previous exchange between the two men concerning religion.
Mohammed asked Ayettey what he wished for his life, to which the preacher responded: “I would like to have the Lord in your life.”
Prosecutor Nicholas Mesure told the court this reply appeared to trigger a dramatic shift in Mohammed’s behaviour, causing him to become extremely agitated.
The migrant was found guilty as Southwark Crown Court | PA
Witnesses reported that Mohammed initially tried to drag Ayettey down from his ladder before fleeing the scene.
He subsequently returned armed with a knife, shouting at the preacher: “I am going to stab you.”
Several bystanders, including some familiar with Mohammed, attempted to dissuade Ayettey from contacting police.
Mohammed has amassed 29 convictions for 67 separate offences since his arrival in the United Kingdom.
The incident occurred at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park
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Despite this extensive criminal record, the Sudanese national has submitted an application to the Home Office seeking indefinite leave to remain in Britain.
Officers attended the scene at Speakers’ Corner and detained Mohammed, who subsequently declined to participate in a police interview.
The 35-year-old, who has no fixed address, had been known to probation services since 2024, though Judge Nigel Sangster KC noted he had failed to engage with any alcohol report since December.
Mohammed denied the charge of threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place but was found guilty by the court.
A simple religious message from the preacher prompted the migrant’s violent outburst
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GETTYHe had previously admitted to three counts of shoplifting from a Sainsbury’s store in Marble Arch, committed just weeks before the Speakers’ Corner incident on 3 May.
The court also convicted him of breaching a community protection notice.
His sentencing has been postponed for a third time due to an outstanding report.
Judge Nigel Sangster KC noted: “There is no ATR report. This case will be adjourned.”Mohammed will return to Southwark Crown Court on 16 January to learn his fate.