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Officers have praised the actions of security staff from a Leeds pub who intervened to protect a woman being attacked nearby.
It comes as Ibrahim Albashir, aged 34, of no fixed abode, was today (25 August) made the subject of a hospital order at Leeds Crown Court after pleading guilty to attempted murder. He was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment and was told he will be detained in hospital for as long as necessary and that if he is discharged from hospital will serve the remainder of his sentence in prison.
Shortly after 9pm on 17 March 2024, police were called to Otley Road, Leeds, to a report from a member of security staff at The Original Oak pub that a man had attacked a woman with a glass bottle by a nearby bus stop. The caller and a colleague had intervened and stopped the victim from being attacked further.
Emergency services attended at the scene and the victim, who is now aged 32, was found to have lacerations to her neck, chest, head and hands and was taken to hospital for immediate treatment.
The perpetrator was identified as Albashir who was arrested at the scene. He was taken to hospital to be checked over before being taken into police custody.
Detective Inspector Richard James, of Leeds CID, said:
“Albashir has approached a lone woman and subjected her to a ferocious, sustained attack which has only stopped thanks to the intervention of these security staff.
“Thankfully they heard the victim’s screams and rushed to her aid, potentially putting themselves in harm's way to protect her. They have not only detained Albashir but also treated the victim’s injuries until the attendance of paramedics. Without their actions, this could very easily have been a murder investigation.
“It is hard for anyone to imagine the traumatic experience that the victim has been subjected to. Albashir has been convicted of the offence he committed against her, and I hope that this helps her find some form of closure on this truly awful chapter of her life.
“We also understand the wider public concern that an incident such as this can cause. We will not tolerate violence against women and girls, and this investigation has been treated with the upmost seriousness since the outset.
“We gathered the evidence that has resulted in Albashir being charged with and admitting an offence of attempted murder. The court has found, following expert medical advice, that Albashir is suffering from a mental disorder and should be detained within a hospital setting so that he can receive appropriate treatment.”