An asylum seeker who stabbed a man seven times in the head and body during a street attack in Birmingham has been jailed for four years and 11 months.
Brear Hassan, 32, of Hellier Street, Dudley, admitted wounding with intent and possessing a knife in public at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, October 1.
Attack on Babington Road
CCTV captured Hassan walking with Erdalan Ali and a third male on Babington Road in the Soho area of Birmingham before an argument broke out. Hassan then pulled out a knife and began stabbing Mr Ali on one side of the street, before pursuing him across the road and continuing to stab him there.
During the attack, Hassan was heard to say 'I should kill you'. The victim suffered wounds to his shoulder and back, and has been left with a permanent scar to his face.
Judge's remarks
Passing sentence, Judge Richard Bond said: "Every time he looks in the mirror in the morning he will be reminded of you."
The judge ordered for his sentencing remarks to be sent to the tribunal presiding over Hassan's asylum application so that 'they understand precisely what you have done'.
Hassan had entered the UK and claimed asylum in 2023, but his application remains pending.
Background to the attack
The three men had been walking together on Babington Road in the early afternoon of March 17 last year. Hassan and Mr Ali had met on previous occasions, were from the same country and were in a similar position regarding their asylum status.
Judge Bond said: "I don't know why the two of you started to argue in public. Perhaps it actually doesn't matter because whatever you were arguing about, even if he started the argument, it's not an excuse for the fact you decided to produce a knife and stab him."
He continued: "Within a matter of seconds you repeatedly stabbed him to the head and body. I have watched CCTV of what you did. I'm satisfied your victim simply had no opportunity to defend himself.
"You kept saying to him 'I should kill you'. I can tell you if you had stabbed Mr Ali in a vital part of his body, his heart area or where a vital blood vessel could be found, you would be facing an offence of murder. Fortunately that situation didn't arise."
Judge Bond concluded: "This offence was persistent demonstrated not just by you stabbing him at least seven times, I note you started stabbing him on one side of the street, followed him across the road and stabbed him again on the other side of the road."
Defence statement
Simon Williams, defending, stated Hassan had accepted responsibility for the attack and was remorseful. He also confirmed Hassan had no previous convictions. The barrister stated Hassan had a psychotic disorder, but conceded it did not contribute to the attack.
