The trial of a man accused of murdering a "devoted" father-of-11 continues at Cardiff Crown Court. Ibrahim Yassin, 64, was pronounced dead after police were called to his home in Butetown, Cardiff, on February 18, 2024.
Mujeeb Hassani, 40, of Cliff Court, Butetown, has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter. His trial began on Monday, August 10, with the prosecution opening its case.
Prosecution case
John Hipkin KC, prosecuting, said Hassani left his home armed with a knife at around 7am after attending morning prayers at the Butetown Islamic Centre. CCTV footage from the centre on the morning of February 18, 2024, showed both men at morning prayers, but no obvious interaction between them.
The court heard that Mr Yassin was stabbed at home in Belmont Walk, Cardiff, later that morning, suffering stab wounds to virtually all parts of his body. The defendant allegedly attempted to run away with his hand wrapped in a pink towel before trying to get into a woman's car.
Mental health background
The jury heard that Hassani had been detained under the Mental Health Act prior to the incident but was released on February 15, 2024, despite concerns from consultant psychiatrist Dr Matthew Hoskins, who told a mental health tribunal that the defendant posed a risk to himself and others and had 'poor compliance' with taking medication.
During day two, the court was shown a compilation of CCTV footage of the defendant's movements on the day of the incident. The court also heard details of a 999 call made by Mr Yassin's daughter, Nazra Sharif, who screamed that her father had been stabbed and requested help.
Pathology evidence
Pathologist Dr Stephen Leadbeatter detailed more than 30 sharp force injuries to Mr Yassin's body, caused by a sharp instrument such as a knife. These included injuries to the left leg, lower trunk, upper trunk, left arm, right arm, face, and neck. The most serious injuries were to the neck, leading to "near decapitation".
At the time of his death, Mr Yassin was a caretaker at the South Wales Islamic Centre in Butetown and was a popular and well-regarded man among the Somali community in Cardiff. In a family statement released through police, his family described him as a "cherished father, deeply adored by his children".
On day three, the next witness is consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr John Crosby, a defence witness called by defence barrister Thomas Crowther KC. Dr Crosby works at Ashworth Security Hospital in Merseyside, where Hassani now resides. The trial continues.
