Man who launched frenzied knife attack on London train while shouting 'I want to kill all the Muslims' detained indefinitely in hospital

A schizophrenic attacker who launched a frenzied knife attack on a man on a London Overground train while shouting "I want to kill all Muslims" has been detained indefinitely in hospital.

Adrian Brown, 38, attacked Muhammed Ali on the London Overground on December 12 last year, knifing him six times in the head and torso.

The victim suffered severe blood loss and also a punctured lung, with Brown suffering a severe psychotic episode when he launched the brutal attack.

Fellow passengers, including an off-duty police officer and doctor managed to save Mr Ali's life by giving him emergency first aid.

Southwark Crown Court heard Brown believed that by stabbing the victim he would "save humanity" and exorcise a Muslim demon haunting him.

Brown had pleaded not guilty to attempted murder on the grounds of insanity.

When on board the train he was heard saying: "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.

The victim had been travelling back from a trip to the mosque and the shops with his wife when the assault took place between Honor Oak Park and Forest Hill, south London.

On Tuesday, a jury found Brown not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity following a two-day trial of issue.

He was also found not guilty by reason of insanity of possession of an offensive weapon and of assault by beating of the support worker.

The court heard when off-duty police officer David Pearson faced Brown down and told him to put down the knife, the defendant told him: "No, you are OK, you are a Christian."

The officer helped Mr Ali to safety and gave a detailed description of the attacker to police over the phone before trying to persuade Brown to put down his weapon.

Mr Ali said in a statement read to the court that the attack had left him too frightened to leave his house.

He said: "I have not left the house since this happened. I struggle to sleep all the time because every time I shut my eyes I have flashbacks to the whole thing.

He went on: “I am so shocked and scared about what took place and I am nervous about leaving the house and travelling on the train again."

Detaining Brown indefinitely under section 37 of the Mental Health Act, Judge Deborah Taylor QC said: "You have a long history of psychotic illness and on that day you were suffering and you continue to suffer from paranoid schizophrenia."

Judge Taylor also imposed an order under section 41 of the Mental Health Act meaning Brown can only ever be released from hospital on the order of a judge or Secretary of State.

Brown, of Brockley Rise, south-east London, appeared via video link from Broadmoor hospital during the hearing, wearing a brown tracksuit.

In a statement, Detective Superintendent Gary Richardson, of British Transport Police, said: “This was a serious assault on a man in broad daylight.

“A secure hospital is the correct place for Brown to receive the treatment that he requires.

“Thankfully his actions did not prove to be life threatening or fatal for the victim – mainly thanks to the quick actions of fellow passengers in saving his life - and he has made a full recovery.”