Delivery Driver's Desperate Plea During Brutal Handsworth Knife Attack
A delivery driver in Birmingham desperately pleaded 'don't kill me' as a knife-wielding robber stabbed him 29 times, including a wound that punctured his heart, a court has heard. The ferocious attack occurred in the early hours of July 26 last year on Gibson Road in Handsworth, leaving the victim fighting for his life.
Survival After Life-Saving Surgery
DPD worker Aqeef Ali, who had just finished his shift at the Smethwick depot, miraculously survived the assault following emergency life-saving surgery. Prosecutor Andrew Wallace, opening the case at Birmingham Crown Court, described the incident as far more than a simple robbery gone wrong.
'This was a savage attack that escalated dramatically in malevolence when the victim did not comply with the assailant's demands,' Mr Wallace told the jury. 'It transformed into an attempt to kill because the bag was not surrendered.'
The Fateful Journey Home
Mr Ali had been dropped off in Handsworth around 3am after his night shift but, unfortunately, was not left directly outside his address. He was walking the final part of his journey home when he became aware he was being followed by 37-year-old Mahamed Mahamad, the court was informed.
The prosecutor suggested Mr Mahamad, who had also arrived in the area by taxi, likely targeted Mr Ali after seeing him using his phone. The victim, feeling nervous, stopped outside a house equipped with a CCTV camera, moments before the violent confrontation began.
A Struggle for 'Dear Life'
'The defendant started shouting, demanding to know where Mr Ali's phone was and what was in his bag,' Mr Wallace continued. 'A struggle ensued, and Mr Ali held onto that bag for dear life, quite literally.'
After punching and kicking the delivery driver, Mahamad allegedly produced a large serrated knife, described by the prosecutor as a 'serious weapon' that has never been recovered. Mr Ali's resistance reportedly made his attacker 'more aggressive'.
Neighbour's Intervention and Chilling Threats
The violent brawl drew the attention of two neighbours, one of whom decided to intervene, potentially saving Mr Ali from 'even greater harm'. The prosecutor detailed how the neighbour witnessed the repeated stabbing.
'He saw Mr Ali, who looked like he was fighting for his life, shouting 'don't kill me',' Mr Wallace stated. 'At one point, Mahamad is alleged to have said 'do you want to die tonight?''
In addition to the critical heart wound, Mr Ali suffered a deep laceration to his cheek during what was described as a 'ferocious attack'.
Prosecution's Case on Intent
Emphasising the severity, the prosecutor told the jury: 'This was not a mere struggle over a bag. This had gone much further. This was 'I'm going to kill you because you didn't give it to me.''
'There were 29 thrusts with that knife. Not all were as dangerous as the one to the heart, but you must ask yourselves: what intention lies behind thrusting a large knife at someone's body that many times?' Mr Wallace questioned. The jury was shown CCTV footage capturing the horrific incident.
Defendant's Denial and Trial Continues
Mahamed Mahamad, of Browns Green, Birmingham, denies charges of attempted murder and the alternative charge of wounding with intent. The court heard he answered 'no comment' following his arrest by police.
Regarding the alternative charge, the prosecutor outlined the defence's position: 'The defendant denies that wounding with intent was his aim. He suggests it goes with the territory of being a robber—that it was simply bad luck the victim was injured during the robbery.'
The trial at Birmingham Crown Court continues.
