Afghan refugee who ‘killed dogwalker and injured landlord after row over being evicted’ match to face trial for homicide, courtroom instructed
An Afghan man who allegedly stabbed three people including his landlord while facing eviction has been declared fit enough to potentially stand trial for murder, a court heard.
Safi Dawood, 23, is accused of murdering council worker Wayne Broadhurst, who was out walking his dog at the time of the assault.
Dawood’s landlord, Shahzad Farrukh, and a teenage boy were also hurt in the incident.
The refugee had been told he had days to leave his annex at Mr Farrukh’s home when he allegedly struck in October last year.
He is charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder following the brutal triple stabbing in Uxbridge, west London.
Dawood appeared via video link from Broadmoor in Berkshire for the 30-minute hearing at Southwark Crown Court this morning.
The court previously heard there were concerns about whether Dawood would be mentally well enough to enter pleas.
But defence counsel Richard Jory KC said today: ‘(The psychiatrist has) come to the conclusion that Mr Safi is fit to stand trial.’
Safi Dawood, pictured at a previous magistrates’ court hearing, appeared via video link from Broadmoor Hospital this morning
He said a second expert formed the same opinion.
However, he said experts were divided on whether Dawood would be able to claim a defence of diminished responsibility for the alternative charge of manslaughter.
The court heard one of the psychiatrists found Dawood to be ‘psychotic but not insane’ at the time of the incident.
Dawood spoke only to confirm his name with the aid of a Pashto translator.
He was not asked to enter any pleas.
The case was adjourned until the next hearing on April 27 when he is expected to enter pleas to all charges except for murder.
A trial has been provisionally listed for later this summer, lasting up to three weeks.
The court previously heard Mr Broadhurst, 49, was stabbed approximately 14 times.
The Afghan national allegedly stabbed Wayne Broadhurst, (pictured) 49, who died at the scene
Dawood has also been charged over the severe injuries suffered by 45-year-old Mr Farrukh, a business consultant who lives on the road where the attack is believed to have started.
He is said to have life-changing injuries. No update on his condition was offered during today’s hearing.
Dawood is also charged with attempting to murder a 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named and has since been discharged from hospital, and possession of an offensive weapon.
Dawood arrived in the UK in a lorry five years ago and was granted asylum and leave to remain in 2022, according to the Home Office.
The Metropolitan Police said Mr Broadhurst was treated for stab wounds but died at the scene.
It added Dawood and Mr Broadhurst ‘were not known to one another’.
It added: ‘Dawood was assessed when he entered custody and later required hospital treatment after suffering a medical episode.’
Officers and paramedics were called to reports of a triple stabbing at about 5pm on Monday October 27, and the casualties were treated at the scene for stab wounds.
Mr Broadhurst worked for Greener Ealing, which provides sustainable waste disposal and grounds maintenance services to Ealing Council.
Managing director Katarina Pohancenikova said: ‘This is a devastating loss. Wayne was a dedicated member of our team who made a real contribution.’
