Archived on 6/5/2022

Schizophrenic man pleads not guilty for Forest Hill train stabbing (on 12th Dec 2016)

anon5422159

22 Aug '17

Continuing the discussion from Stabbing - 12th Dec 2016:

The verdict will be declared today:

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A schizophrenic man launched an unprovoked knife attack on a train passenger after yelling “I want to kill all the Muslims”, a court has heard.

Adrian Brown, 38, was said to be suffering a severe psychotic episode when he stabbed Muhammed Ali in a London Overground carriage on 12 December.

The intervention of other passengers on the train, which was travelling between Honor Oak Park and Forest Hill, south London, might have saved the victim’s life, his trial at Southwark crown court heard.

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

Prosecutor Alan Kent QC said: “The defendant was living in a hostel on the morning of December 12, he left that hostel armed with a knife – he was determined to find and kill Muslim men.

“He went to the train station at Honor Oak Park, which isn’t very far away from the hostel where he was living. He had with him a knife which he took from the hostel.

…

Jurors will consider whether Brown was insane at the time of the attack. He is also accused of carrying a knife and assault by beating of hostel worker Filipe Dias during an earlier incident, both of which he denies on the grounds of insanity.

The court heard Brown had become agitated over the absence of hot water and set upon Dias, who had previously confiscated knives from him.

Kent said: “He was unhappy about a problem there with the hot water system. But there was something much more serious going on in his head at that time because what he suddenly came out with is ‘I’m going to destroy Isis, Isis are the problem’.”

…

Brown, of Brockley Rise in south-east London, appeared via video link from Broadmoor hospital during the hearing, wearing a brown tracksuit. It was heard two psychiatrists had determined he was insane at the time of the attack.

Kent said: “He is at Broadmoor hospital where he is being treated. He has a very long history of paranoid schizophrenia – there is no doubt that when he carried out these offences he was suffering a very severe psychotic episode.”

Jurors were told by Judge Deborah Taylor they could reach one of three verdicts: not guilty, not guilty by reason of insanity or guilty.

Brown’s defence counsel has to prove “on the balance of probabilities” that he was insane at the time, the court heard.

anon5422159

22 Aug '17

Also reported in the Standard:

… which suggests that Adrian Brown was (and may still be?) a resident at the Honor Lea Hostel, which I’d never heard of, but is just round the corner from where I live.

Michael

22 Aug '17

He may still officially have an address in Brockely Rise, but he is currently residing at Broadmoor hospital.

Brown, of Brockley Rise in south-east London, appeared via video link from Broadmoor hospital during the hearing, wearing a brown tracksuit. It was heard two psychiatrists had determined he was insane at the time of the attack.
Kent said: “He is at Broadmoor hospital where he is being treated.

Foresthillnick

22 Aug '17

All very sad all round whatever the verdict.

anon5422159

22 Aug '17

Ah yes - don’t know what happened with my google maps before. I have updated the original post with the correct location.

anon5422159

22 Aug '17

The judge has decided:

Londondrz

23 Aug '17

But at least the care in the community programme worked for him until he stabbed someone in the head. Hopefully he can now get the care he needs.

Greta01

23 Aug '17

Any details on the hostel? I’d be keen to support its work if possible.

anon64893700

24 Aug '17

Only info quick to find.
103-117 Brockley Rise, Forest Hill, London SE23 1JW
020 8821 5123

Seems the right decision has been made on this. Tragic way to get someone a placement they so desperately need. Feel deeply for the victim of this also.

Good to see that sometimes the system can work. just a shame it took this.

Greta01

24 Aug '17

Thanks