A 23-year-old Afghan migrant has admitted to stabbing a teenage boy in West London when he appeared before Southwark Crown Court today.
Safi Dawood entered guilty pleas to three charges, stemming from a knife attack that took place in Uxbridge on October 27 last year.
The defendant, who participated in the hearing via videolink, accepted responsibility for causing grievous bodily harm with intent against Shahzad Farrukh, 45.
He also admitted inflicting actual bodily harm on a 14-year-old victim, and pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon during the incident.
The attack unfolded in Midhurst Gardens, where Wayne Broadhurst, a 49-year-old dog walker who had no connection to the defendant, was fatally wounded at the scene.
He suffered multiple stab injuries to his neck, chest and side, the court heard.
Dawood arrived in the United Kingdom in the back of a lorry in 2020, and subsequently applied for asylum, which authorities approved two years later, the Home Office previously confirmed.
Emergency services tended to Mr Broadhurst, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The knife attack took place in Midhurst Gardens, Uxbridge on October 27 last year
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PA
Mr Broadhurst and Mr Dawood were not known to one another.
Police also released a statement from Mr Broadhurst’s next-of-kin shortly after his death, which outlined how he “was a devoted and hardworking man who spent his life serving his community as a waste services worker”.
“He worked hard his whole life, never shying away from improving his community,” they said.
“His love for animals showed the gentle heart behind his strong work ethic, and his passion for Liverpool FC was something he loved to share with others.”
Mr Broadhurst worked for Greener Ealing, which provides sustainable waste disposal and grounds maintenance services to Ealing Council.
The court did not take any plea from the defendant regarding the death of Mr Broadhurst.
Wayne Broadhurst, 49, was fatally wounded at the scene
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MET POLICE
Dawood also pleaded not guilty to the two alternative charges of attempted murder.
A case management hearing has been scheduled for June 2 ahead of a full trial, which is due to commence on July 13.