A man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after repeatedly stabbing a father in front of his eight-month-old baby at the Chislehurst War Memorial.
Fatih Hassan, 31, of Avalon Road, Orpington, carried out the brutal attack on June 8, 2024, during what was supposed to be a routine child handover between Mekseb Eyobraya and his ex-partner.
Hassan was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and was sentenced on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Inner London Crown Court.
Brutal Attack in Broad Daylight
The court heard that Mekseb Eyobraya had arranged to meet his ex-partner at the Chislehurst War Memorial at 3 PM to collect their baby son.
- Hassan, who was in a casual relationship with the child’s mother, insisted on accompanying her to the meeting.
- There was no prior animosity between Hassan and Mekseb before the attack.
Escalation to Violence
Prosecutor Michael Polak described how the situation escalated rapidly:
“When she, the child, and the defendant arrived, the defendant walked out in front of her towards the victim.”
“He then demanded Mekseb’s phone number, we say in an attempt to create tension between them. Pushing and shoving took place, which then turned into a fight.”
During the altercation, Hassan pulled out a four- to five-inch knife and stabbed Mekseb multiple times, inflicting:
- Two deep stab wounds to his thigh
- A serious stab wound to his back, which punctured his lung
Heroic Off-Duty Officer Provides Life-Saving First Aid
After the attack, Hassan fled the scene, leaving Mekseb bleeding on the ground.
- An off-duty police officer, who witnessed the attack, rushed to provide life-saving first aid until paramedics arrived.
- Mekseb was rushed to hospital, where he was treated for severe blood loss and a punctured lung.
- His condition deteriorated rapidly, but after emergency treatment, he was discharged the following week.
Victim’s Statement: “My Life Has Been Miserable”
Mekseb, still struggling with the aftermath of the attack, described the severe psychological and emotional impact the stabbing has had on his life.
“It’s really difficult to explain the suffering and psychological trauma I’ve been going through.”
“I’ve been suffering nightmares nearly every single day and struggle to sleep.”
“I’m no longer working, and my life has been miserable.”
Hassan’s Lies and Trial Conviction
After handing himself in at a police station two hours after the attack, Hassan tried to shift the blame, claiming:
- Mekseb had been holding the knife and somehow stabbed himself in the back.
- However, the off-duty officer who witnessed the attack testified against him, confirming that Hassan was the one swinging the knife.
A jury found Hassan guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent, rejecting his false claims.
Judge Condemns “Wholly Unprovoked” Attack
Judge Noel Lucas KC, who presided over the case, described the stabbing as:
“Wholly unprovoked and wholly unnecessary.”
He also noted that Hassan had shown no remorse and had lied throughout the trial.
“Had the femoral artery been severed, he would have bled out and died in a very short time,” Judge Lucas warned.
Sentencing: 14-Year Extended Sentence
After concluding that Hassan poses a serious and continuous risk to the public, Judge Lucas handed down an extended 14-year sentence, which includes:
- 10 years in prison
- An additional four years on licence after his release
Final Verdict
The sentence ensures that Hassan will serve a significant period in custody, and authorities will monitor him closely even after release.
The case highlights the dangers of knife crime and the devastating impact it has on victims and their families.
Further updates will follow as authorities continue their crackdown on violent offenders.
