A quiet Plymouth park became the scene of a horrific tragedy when a 70-year-old dog walker was fatally stabbed by an Afghan migrant experiencing what doctors describe as a severe psychotic episode.
The victim, Terence 'Terry' Rattle, was walking his beloved pet in Central Park when he was attacked in what authorities are calling a random and unprovoked assault. The alleged attacker, 23-year-old asylum seeker Mohammad Sohail Sadiq, had reportedly been suffering from deteriorating mental health in the weeks leading up to the incident.
Mental Health Crisis Unfolds
Court documents reveal that Sadiq had been experiencing paranoid delusions and had stopped taking his prescribed medication. Neighbors reported increasingly erratic behavior from the young migrant in the days before the fatal encounter.
"This appears to be a tragic case where severe mental illness led to catastrophic consequences," explained Detective Chief Inspector Mark Slater, who is leading the investigation. "The suspect was in the midst of a profound psychotic breakdown."
Community in Mourning
The Plymouth community has been left reeling by the violent death of Mr. Rattle, described by friends as a "kind-hearted family man" who was devoted to his dog and regular park walks. Flowers and tributes have been placed at the scene where the tragedy unfolded.
Local resident Sarah Jenkins, who often saw Mr. Rattle during her own daily walks, told reporters: "Terry was such a gentle soul. He always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. This has shaken our entire community to its core."
Legal Proceedings Underway
Mohammad Sohail Sadiq has been charged with murder and remains in custody while undergoing psychiatric evaluation. The court has ordered multiple independent assessments to determine his mental state at the time of the attack and his fitness to stand trial.
Mental health advocates have highlighted the case as another example of the challenges facing the UK's asylum system in providing adequate psychological support for traumatised refugees. Many asylum seekers arrive having experienced significant trauma in their home countries, yet access to specialised mental health services remains limited.
The case continues to develop as investigators piece together the final hours before the tragic stabbing that claimed the life of an innocent man going about his daily routine.
