Knife Attacker Munawar Hussain Locked Up Indefinitely Under Mental Health Act
Munawar Hussain, 60, from Lancashire, has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after carrying out two brutal knife attacks that seriously injured three people. The chilling attacks sparked a Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) investigation, culminating in today’s landmark ruling.
Brutal Knife Attacks Shock Burnley
On December 2, 2020, Hussain launched an unprovoked knife attack inside a Marks and Spencer on St James Street, Burnley. The store manager and a customer were both seriously hurt, requiring urgent medical treatment. Brave store security and members of the public pinned Hussain down before police arrived, preventing further bloodshed.
“These incidents are deeply disturbing and traumatizing for all the victims,” said Chief Superintendent Sarah Kenwright of CTPNW. “No one should fear for their lives while working or shopping. Sadly, that became a reality for these three people.”
Hussain’s Motive and Second Attack
During arrest, Hussain claimed he targeted Marks and Spencer because he believed the company supported Israel in persecuting Palestinians. While held in a secure Lancashire mental health hospital awaiting sentencing, he viciously tried to stab a male nurse with a kitchen knife on June 26, 2023.
He pleaded guilty to attempted murder in a Manchester Crown Court hearing earlier this year.
Justice Served But Public Safety Still Priority
Hussain received a Section 37 Hospital Order, detaining him in a secure Merseyside mental health facility with strict Section 41 restrictions. This means he can only be released by the Secretary of State for Justice or a Mental Health Tribunal – highlighting the ongoing danger he poses.
“Today’s sentencing ensures Hussain remains in a safe place to get treatment and keeps the public protected,” Kenwright added.
Authorities urge the public to keep alert and report any suspicious behaviour immediately. “If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, trust your instinct and ACT,” Kenwright warned.
In emergencies, dial 999 or report online at Action Counters Terrorism.
