Musse Ali, 67, has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order for fatally stabbing a grandfather and injuring two others in a random knife attack at a market on Remembrance Sunday morning. The attack occurred on November 10, 2024, at East Street market in Walworth, south London.
Details of the Attack
Ali, who was born in Somalia and moved to the UK in 1990 after seeking political asylum, suffers from schizoaffective disorder and was not taking his medication at the time. He admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility, wounding with intent, and possessing a blade. The court heard that Ali arrived at the market by bus, stole a large kitchen knife from a shop, and then randomly stabbed three people in quick succession.
His first victim, Ho Man Yau, was walking through the market when Ali ran at him and stabbed him multiple times. In a witness statement, Yau said Ali looked “crazy” with eyes that were “wide and scary.” Ali then attacked Baheru Nadew Bartura and Hilkiah McLeggan, 77, with the 20-25cm blade. McLeggan died at the scene from a stab wound to the back.
Hospital Order and Expert Evidence
His Honour Judge Nigel Lickley KC accepted the evidence of two experts that Ali’s violent behavior was driven by his severe mental illness. The judge said the offending caused “serious alarm and distress” and that Ali is “dangerous.” He sentenced Ali to a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act with a restriction order under Section 41. The responsible clinician noted that Ali has a “serious and treatment-resistant” form of schizoaffective disorder and that he would not have offended without the illness.
Impact on Victims and Families
Bartura suffered a deep penetrative wound to his chest and has needed extensive medical treatment. In a victim impact statement, he said he experiences “overwhelming anxiety, post-traumatic stress and a constant fear of being attacked again.” McLeggan’s relatives said their lives were “tipped upside down” and that Ali “stole a precious, courageous, supportive and loving person.” They added, “We didn’t get to hug him; tell him we loved him one last time or say goodbye.”
Police Response and Public Actions
Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who led the investigation, said: “This was a shocking attack that took place in a busy market on Remembrance Sunday. Officers attended the scene within minutes and arrested the attacker. I want to again thank the members of the public who tried to disarm the attacker and performed first aid on the injured before police officers and paramedics at the scene of this awful incident.”
