Fezan Hussain detained in secure unit over mosque attack

A Paranoid schizophrenic who carried out a machete attack in a crowded mosque has been detained in a secure unit for the protection of the public.

Fezan Hussain bought the small machete by mail order, which he then concealed in his trousers before going to the Madni Masjid Islamic Centre on Newton Street in Bradford in May 2022 to join in Eid celebrations.

Whilst worshippers were greeting and hugging one another he stabbed a former childhood acquaintance in the stomach and then attempted to push the blade in further.

His victim was left with severe injuries including damage to his liver and required a blood transfusion. Hussain, 29 was restrained as his victim collapsed onto the floor.

He was initially charged with attempted murder after being arrested from his home later that day, but due to severe mental health difficulties was unfit to plead or stand trial.

On Thursday, Hussain appeared via video link from Newton Lodge Medium Secure Unit in Wakefield for a sentencing hearing at Bradford Crown Court that heard doctors had said he had made “significant improvement” whilst receiving treatment in hospital.

However it remained the case that he suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and so a hospital order was required.

His Honour Judge Jonathan Rose made a restriction order under the Mental Health Act so that Hussain’s progress and consideration of release could be monitored and controlled “in the interests of your own health and safety as well as the protection of other persons.”

He said: “I accept the findings of the medical experts. Your disorder is of a nature which makes it appropriate that you receive treatment in hospital.

The risk of your committing further offences of the most serious degree is such as requires that the public can only be protected from serious harm if you are subject to a restriction order.”

He added: “This order is made both to ensure proper treatment of your severe psychiatric condition and for the protection of the public. Under this order you will not be released until such time as it is concluded that you pose no risk of serious harm to members of the public.”

He said making a hybrid order allowing Hussain to be transferred to prison to serve his sentence was not appropriate having regard to the severity of his mental illness.

He continued: “It is in my view highly likely that that illness alone was the motivator, driver, and sole reason for the offence.”

He ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the machete that Hussain used in his attack.