Samiualahq Akbari: Knifeman jailed for 21 years over 'kill English people' rampage
The 32-year-old armed attacker "sought to identify and target people from a certain nationality", say detectives.
Thursday 15 August 2019 15:56, UK
A knifeman who attacked a stranger during a drunken rampage to "kill English people" has been jailed for 21 years.
Samiualahq Akbari visited three different places hunting for victims before carrying out the vicious assault, which was caught on CCTV.
The 32-year-old, from Thornton Heath, south London, was handed the lengthy prison sentence after being found guilty of attempted murder following a trial at the Old Bailey.
Speaking after his conviction, detectives said Akbari had been "malicious" in his intent to injure as many as possible and had "sought to identify and target people from a certain nationality".
The court heard that on 8 January this year, Akbari had called his cousin while heavily drunk and said he wanted to "kill English people".
His concerned relative went to Thornton Heath to check on him.
The pair went to a fast food outlet and while there his cousin phoned the police.
But when his cousin tried to persuade him to go home, Akbari ran off and officers called to the scene started to search the area.
Akbari went into a kebab shop on London Road and approached two customers wanting to know where they were from.
When they did not answer, Akbari walked behind the counter and seized a large kitchen knife which he waved in a customer's face.
He then left the shop armed with the knife and went into a pub on the hunt for victims.
After asking drinkers where they were from he again lunged towards a group with the knife, but when they defended themselves, Akbari backed off and fled.
He then went into a Tesco and approached a customer, again demanding to know where he was from.
When he found out the victim was from the UK, Akbari charged at him with the weapon.
Fortunately, the man managed to jump backwards and the knife missed him.
After a brief struggle, Akbari left the shop still carrying the knife.
Police arrived a short time later and after spotting Akbari nearby detained him following a chase.
At his sentencing, Akbari, of Brigstock Road, was also given a four year jail term for throwing rocks from a footbridge overlooking a dual carriageway in Basildon, Essex, on 10 May, last year.
This will run concurrently to his prison sentence for attempted murder.
Detective Constable Chris Dimmer said: "It's clear that Akbari was malicious in his intention to injure as many people as possible.
"He specifically sought to identify and target people from a certain nationality and to cause them as much harm as possible.
"I'm pleased to see that this dangerous man's actions have been met with this lengthy sentence and I hope it gives those targeted in the attack some form of closure."