A man who brutally stabbed two strangers outside his flat in East Ham has had his prison sentence more than doubled, following a successful review under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.
Ismail Uradde, 36, was originally sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after attacking two men with a knife in the early hours of 26 July 2024. However, after the case was referred by Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP, the Court of Appeal ruled the sentence was too lenient and increased it to ten years behind bars.
Violent Attack Outside East Ham Flat
The violent assault took place near Uradde’s block of flats when he confronted two men, accusing them of causing a disturbance. Armed with a knife, he stabbed one man twice in the thigh and slashed the other’s arm, inflicting a deep and serious wound.
After the attack, Uradde fled the scene and later handed the weapon to a local shopkeeper. Both victims lost significant amounts of blood but thankfully survived.
Victim Trauma and Court Review
One of the victims gave a harrowing account during the court proceedings, revealing he still suffers from disturbed sleep, anxiety, and a fear of going outside since the attack. He said the stabbing had left him traumatised and changed his life.
Uradde was convicted on 20 January 2025 at his original sentencing for two counts of wounding with intent and one count of possessing a bladed article. Despite the severity of the offences, his original prison term was met with criticism, prompting the referral to the Court of Appeal.
On 15 April 2025, appeal judges ruled in favour of increasing the sentence to ten years, recognising the serious nature of the assault and its impact on the victims.
Solicitor General: “Justice Better Served”
Speaking after the revised sentence was handed down, Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:
“This was a violent and unprovoked attack which left two men with serious injuries and lasting trauma. The revised sentence better reflects the gravity of the crime and the harm caused to the victims.”
The case has reignited public discussion around the effectiveness of the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, which allows certain sentences to be reviewed and increased if deemed too low.
Anyone affected by violent crime can seek support through organisations such as Victim Support or contact police via 101 for advice and assistance.
