Man Jailed for Hammer Attack and False Imprisonment at Wolverhampton Medical Centre
A man who wielded a hammer concealed under his jacket and imprisoned two terrified women for 20 minutes at a Wolverhampton medical practice has been jailed. Mohammad Haydari, an Iranian citizen, was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court after the shocking incident at East Park medical practice on April 7 last year.
Details of the Terrifying Incident
Haydari arrived at the medical centre with his interpreter, seeking a fit note for benefits. When directed into a surgery and questioned by a health worker, he became agitated, raising his tone and demanding, "You tell me why I am here and nobody is helping me." He then lifted his jacket to reveal a hammer, threatening to smash it into the health worker's face.
The staff member managed to alert security via her computer, but Haydari escalated the situation, threatening to harm both the health worker and the interpreter. He declared, "nobody is getting out," before locking the door and placing a chair in front of it, trapping the two women inside for approximately 20 minutes.
Impact on the Victims
Victim impact statements revealed the profound trauma experienced by both women. They described shaking and being extremely scared during the ordeal. The health worker had to take the rest of the day off, while the self-employed interpreter feared losing work hours due to the psychological aftermath.
Both victims now suffer from heightened levels of anxiety and stress as a direct result of the incident, with reports indicating they believed they were going to be struck by the hammer.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Police attended the scene and arrested Haydari, who was already on notice to leave the country from immigration authorities. During the trial, defence lawyer Justin Holt highlighted Haydari's complex mental health history spanning 20 years, dating back to his time in Iran, including a recent suicide attempt. Holt argued that Haydari had limited options for support outside of prison.
However, Judge Jonathan Gosling emphasized that Haydari had traumatised both women and that his deportation or sentence location was a matter for the Home Office. Haydari was jailed for three years for each count of false imprisonment, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Broader Implications
The case underscores ongoing concerns about safety in medical settings and the challenges faced by individuals with severe mental health issues. It also highlights the legal complexities involving non-citizens and deportation procedures in the UK justice system.
