Fugitive Stabs Victim in Daring Town Centre Chase
A wanted man chased down his target through Scotland’s town centre before stabbing him multiple times in broad daylight, a court heard. Abdul-Rahman Al-Ahmed, 21, then stunned the nation by launching another brutal attack weeks later in Cardiff, stabbing a shop worker so savagely that the man’s “insides were hanging out.”
On the Run: Crime Spree From Scotland to Wales
Al-Ahmed was due in court last May over crack cocaine charges but disappeared without a trace. While on the lam, he unleashed a violent two-pronged stabbing rampage across Dorset and Wales, leaving both victims fighting for their lives.
“This is a serious example of absconding, by going on to commit serious offences while at large,” said Judge Paul Hobson.
‘Pure Good Fortune’ Saved Victims from Catastrophic Injuries
The first attack hit on July 22, 2023, when Al-Ahmed and his mates chased a man after a dispute over a watch on Lorne Park Road. He stabbed the victim repeatedly, even after he collapsed. Doctors called it “pure good fortune” the man survived.
On December 15, 2023, still evading police, Al-Ahmed struck again in Cardiff. After trying to use a fake banknote in a shop, he refused to leave and stabbed the shop worker in the belly, carving a terrifying 8cm deep wound that needed emergency surgery.
“They surrounded me like a pack of dogs… They left me to die on the roadside. I was terrified,” the shop worker told the court.
Judge Hobson warned the level of violence could have easily resulted in death or worse, stressing both victims were lucky to be alive.
PTSD and Past Trauma Play Role in Defence
Al-Ahmed’s defence lawyer revealed the 21-year-old suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after fleeing war-torn Syria. A psychiatric report suggested his traumatic past may have contributed to the Cardiff stabbing. Despite this, Al-Ahmed is reportedly responding well to treatment in custody.
Lawyer Mr Grefstad called the stabbing spree “a single chaotic period in this young man’s life.”
Jail Sentence: Nine Years Behind Bars plus Extended Licence
Al-Ahmed was convicted on multiple charges including wounding with intent, assault causing actual bodily harm, affray, possession of a bladed article, and intent to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to nine years in prison with an additional five years on extended licence.
Judge Hobson stressed the extra licence time is essential to protect the public from future harm.
