A man who repeatedly stabbed a father in front of his eight-month-old baby at Chislehurst War Memorial has been jailed for 14 years.
Fatih Hassan, 31, carried out the horror knife attack on Mekseb Eyobraya in an unprovoked assault during a custody handover on June 8, 2024.
An off-duty police officer, who witnessed the attack, provided potentially life-saving first aid before paramedics arrived.
Life-Threatening Injuries
Mekseb was rushed to the hospital, suffering from severe blood loss and a punctured lung.
Despite his injuries, he was discharged a week later but has since struggled with psychological trauma.
He later said:
“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.”
Hassan’s Arrest and Trial
Hassan, of Avalan Road, Orpington, turned himself in two hours later but claimed Mekseb had stabbed himself.
At trial, an off-duty officer who witnessed the attack testified that Hassan was the one wielding the knife.
The jury rejected Hassan’s false claims and convicted him.
Judge’s Sentencing
Judge Noel Lucas KC called the attack “wholly unprovoked and wholly unnecessary”, adding that Hassan showed no remorse.
He noted:
“Had the femoral artery been severed, he would have bled out and died in a very short time.”
Due to the risk Hassan poses to the public, the judge imposed an extended 14-year sentence, consisting of:
- 10 years in prison
- Four years on licence upon release
Hassan will not be eligible for parole until he serves at least two-thirds of his sentence.
Anyone with information about violent crime in the area is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
