Schizophrenic man who stabbed Muslim to 'save humanity' found not guilty in Britain

'I can only assume it was me because my wife was wearing a headscarf,' said victim

A British man with schizophrenia repeatedly stabbed a Muslim train passenger, yelling “I want to kill all the Muslims” has been found not-guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity, reported BBC. He was also found not guilty of possessing an offensive weapon and of assault.

Adrian Brown, 38, is said to have experienced a “severe psychotic episode” when he stabbed Muhammed Ali on a London Overground train on December 12, 2016. The judge ordered that Brown be detained indefinitely.



Brown appeared for the hearing via video link from Broadmoor Hospital. A jury found him not-guilty following a two-day trial at the Southwark Crown Court.

The trial stated that Brown had been ‘delusional’ in his belief that he would “save humanity” and exorcise a Muslim ‘demon’ haunting him by stabbing his victim. The court was told he was heard by other passengers to say "Where are all the Muslims? I am going to kill all the Muslims", before holding a knife to the throat of another woman, who was unhurt.

Brown accepted carrying out the attack but pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder on the grounds of insanity.

Ali, who was travelling home with his wife, was attacked between Honor Oak Park and Forest Hill, south London.

He told court that the attack had left him too frightened to leave his house. "I struggle to sleep at the time because every time I shut my eyes I have flashbacks to the whole thing", he said. "I can only assume it was me because my wife was wearing a headscarf."

Detaining Brown indefinitely under section 37 of the Mental Health Act, Judge Taylor said: "You have a long history of psychotic illness and on that day you were suffering and you continue to suffer from paranoid schizophrenia. There's no doubt that if it had not been for the prompt intervention of an off-duty police officer and two medical practitioners that he may well have died such were the severity of his injuries and the loss of blood."



Islamophobia and hate crimes against Muslims have been on the rise in London following the Manchester and London bridge attack in which the Islamic State was believed to be involved. Muslims in the west have faced multiple horrible incidents including being victims of multiple acid attacks in the country.