Afghan Refugee Who Entered the UK Hidden in the Back of a Lorry and Lied About Being 17 Stabbed a Man Walking His Dog to Death , Then Told the Court Why He Did It and His Reasons Were terrifying

Bodycam footage released by the Metropolitan Police shows the dramatic moment officers used a Taser to stop and arrest an Uber driver and Afghan refugee after he carried out a deadly knife attack that left an innocent dog walker dead.

Dawood Safi, 28, fatally stabbed 49-year-old Wayne Broadhurst during a violent rampage in Midhurst Gardens, Uxbridge, on October 27 last year. Mr Broadhurst, who was simply walking his dog Harry, was attacked without warning and suffered 14 stab wounds to his head, neck, chest and back. One witness later described the horrifying attack as a “butchering.”

The court heard Safi was suffering from a severe mental health crisis and psychosis at the time of the attacks. Witnesses said he appeared to be acting strangely, with one woman telling police he looked “like he was possessed.” Safi later admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was also found guilty of attempting to murder his landlord.

The newly released bodycam footage begins with police officers arriving at the scene in their patrol car. As they get out, they immediately spot Safi still holding a large kitchen knife. Officers repeatedly shout, “Drop the knife!” and “Get on the floor!” but Safi refuses to obey. Instead, he slowly backs away while still gripping the weapon.

After several warnings, one officer fires a Taser, causing Safi to collapse onto the ground. Officers quickly move in, roll him onto his stomach, search him for weapons and place him in handcuffs. Another video, captured by a nearby security camera, also shows officers surrounding Safi moments after the attack before taking him into custody.

Southwark Crown Court heard that before killing Mr Broadhurst, Safi had attacked his landlord, 45-year-old Mr Farrukh, stabbing him in the neck. Despite his injuries, Mr Farrukh managed to escape along with a 14-year-old boy as neighbours and members of the public rushed to help and tried to stop the attacker.

Prosecutor Jonathan Laidlaw KC told the court that Mr Broadhurst had the “terrible misfortune” of walking past with his dog while Safi was carrying out the attacks. He said the victim was chosen completely at random and was attacked for no apparent reason.

The court also heard details about Safi’s background. He arrived in the UK in 2020 after entering the country hidden in the back of a lorry. Prosecutors said he falsely claimed to be 17 years old when he arrived. He was later granted asylum in 2022.

During psychiatric assessments, Safi said he had witnessed his father being murdered in a land dispute in Afghanistan when he was just 10 years old. Prosecutors said his mental health had seriously deteriorated before the attacks. He was hearing voices, suffering from paranoia and believed people, including members of his own family, were controlling him and plotting against him.

In the three days leading up to the stabbings, Safi had visited his GP, undergone a mental health assessment at Hillingdon Hospital and even gone to Hayes Police Station seeking help. Despite those contacts with services, his mental health continued to worsen.

On the afternoon of October 27, Mr Farrukh entered the kitchen of his home and noticed Safi standing outside the glass door leading to the annex. When he opened the door, he found himself face-to-face with Safi, who was already armed with a large kitchen knife.

The prosecutor said Safi launched a sudden and completely unexpected attack on his unarmed landlord. During the assault, Safi reportedly made comments suggesting he was angry because Mr Farrukh had refused to accompany him to the police station earlier that day.

As the violence spread onto the street, neighbours came outside after hearing screams. One witness later told police that Safi appeared to be out of control and looked as though he was possessed.

Mr Broadhurst, who worked as a street sweeper for Ealing Council and was a devoted Liverpool FC supporter, happened to walk into the area with his beloved dog Harry. Prosecutors said there was no reason for the attack. He was stabbed repeatedly in a random, frenzied and completely unprovoked assault before collapsing in the street. He died at the scene with Harry remaining faithfully by his side.

Although Mr Broadhurst’s family wanted Safi to be convicted of murder, prosecutors accepted his guilty plea to manslaughter after medical experts concluded that his severe mental illness had significantly affected his responsibility for the killing.

Safi admitted manslaughter, causing actual bodily harm, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon. He was also found guilty by a jury of attempting to murder his landlord.

Jurors were unable to reach a verdict on a separate charge that Safi attempted to murder a 14-year-old boy during the same knife rampage. The Crown Prosecution Service later decided not to seek another trial on that allegation.

The judge postponed sentencing until October 5 and ordered further medical assessments before deciding what sentence Safi should receive.