Man praised for saving victim ‘from beheading’
Paranoid schizophrenic was intent on horrific act, court told
AHERO prevented his best friend from being beheaded – by tackling the crazed knifeman in the aisles of a supermarket.
Mohammed Karimi, who disarmed paranoid schizophrenic Jan Usman, has been hailed a life-saver by a judge. He has also been awarded £300 for his bravery.
He leapt into action after 26-yearold Usman plunged the knife into mate Khyali Gul’s neck at Handsworth’s San Internet Cafe where the victim works.
Usman then fled into the nearby Turkish International Supermarket where he was confronted by shoppers, with Mohammed at the forefront.
Khali Gul is still suffering from the injuries he suffered.
He told the Post: “Things are totally different. They told me I could lose my voice and I still struggle to eat.
“Now I’m trying to get on with my life.”
Last Friday, at Birmingham Crown Court, Usman was convicted of attempted murder and given a hospital order with restrictions.
The trial was told he intended to decapitate Khyali Gul, now 23 and a father.
Judge Paul Farrer QC said: “I would like to commend the actions of Mohammed Karimi. His conduct in taking hold of Usman and detaining
him may have saved a life. He is to be commended for his bravery.”
Usman, from Winson Green, struck on June 7, 2019, without warning.
Prior to the attack, he was captured on CCTV walking towards the cafe “calmly and purposely”. Usman showed no emotion as he drove the blade into his target.
Khyali Gul fled and lost his shoes as he ran to safety with the knifeman in pursuit. He sought sanctuary in the supermarket where those inside came to his aid.
James Dunstan, prosecuting, told the trial: “He was running for his life. At times Usman got closer to him as they went up and down the aisles. He was shouting for help.”
He added: “Usman went into the San Internet cafe in Grove Road, Handsworth, with a kitchen knife.
“He approached the victim and without hesitation stabbed him in the neck. He said something to him about ‘taking it off’.
“We say that was a reference to beheading. Usman was not finished.
He chased him for a considerable distance with the knife.
“You will be able to see what happened on CCTV footage. Usman intended to kill the victim and that was what he was trying to do. The facts of this case are shocking but not horrifying.”
“It appears that attacking the victim was the solution to a problem of some sort, possibly revenge,” added Mr Dunstan.
Passing sentence Judge Farrer told Usman: “On June 7 you were suffering from a significant mental illness and in that condition believed the victim was persecuting you and posed a threat to you.
“Against that background you armed yourself with a kitchen knife and walked the relatively short distance to the shop where he worked.
“The victim was examining a phone and you then withdrew the knife and forcefully stabbed him in the left side of his neck.
“As you did so you indicated by words that it was your intention to end him.”
The judge said the wound penetrated the victim’s windpipe and he spent ten days in hospital.
Anand Beharrylal QC, defending, said: “This is a person who at the time when he picked up the knife, put it in his pocket, walked to the shop and committed the offence, was suffering from psychosis.
“In his disordered state Usman fixated on the victim.”