Dawood Safi, 23, has admitted to killing a random dog walker and attacking his landlord and a teenage boy during a psychotic episode that left him unable to distinguish reality from delusion. The attacks occurred in Midhurst Gardens, Uxbridge, west London, on October 27 last year.
Guilty Plea to Manslaughter
At Southwark Crown Court today, Safi pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Wayne Broadhurst on the basis of diminished responsibility due to his mental state. He had originally been charged with murder. The prosecution accepted the manslaughter plea after four medical experts concluded Safi was experiencing an abnormality of mental functioning at the time of the attack.
Jonathan Laidlaw KC, prosecuting, told the court: 'He was in a psychotic state, in other words he had lost contact with reality and he was unable to distinguish what was real and what was not.' He added that the 'random, nonsensical and frenzied nature' of the killing supported the conclusion that Safi was 'acutely unwell'.
Frenzied Attack on Dog Walker
Wayne Broadhurst, a dog walker, was unknown to Safi and was simply walking past the property when he was attacked. An earlier hearing revealed that Safi was found armed with a large knife in the annex of the property where he lived as a lodger with his landlord, Shahzad Farrukh. He then launched a frenzied assault on Mr Broadhurst, inflicting multiple stab wounds to his neck, chest, and side. Mr Broadhurst died at the scene.
In addition to the manslaughter, Safi previously admitted lesser charges of grievous bodily harm with intent relating to Mr Farrukh, 45, and actual bodily harm in relation to a 14-year-old boy. He also pleaded guilty to one count of possessing an offensive weapon.
Trial for Attempted Murder
Despite the acceptance of the manslaughter plea, Safi will still stand trial for the attempted murder of Mr Farrukh and the 14-year-old boy. The trial is scheduled to begin this afternoon. Mr Laidlaw acknowledged that Mr Broadhurst's family had wanted to see Safi found guilty of murder.
Background of the Defendant
Safi, an Afghan immigrant, entered the UK in a lorry in 2020 and claimed asylum, which was granted in 2022, according to the Home Office. He lived as a lodger with Mr Farrukh at the address in Midhurst Gardens where the attacks took place.
