A white supremacist who carried out a brutal knife attack on an asylum seeker at a hotel has been jailed for life in what a judge described as a “terrorist attack.”
Callum Parslow, 32, of Bromyard Terrace, Worcester, stabbed Nahom Hagos, a 25-year-old Eritrean asylum seeker, in the chest and hand at the Pear Tree Inn in Smite, near Worcester. The attack, which was racially motivated and fueled by neo-Nazi ideology, resulted in life-altering injuries for the victim.
At Woolwich Crown Court, Parslow was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 22 years and eight months for attempted murder. The judge, Mr. Justice Dove, emphasized that Parslow’s actions were motivated by “far-right neo-Nazi views” and that he posed a significant danger to the public.
The Attack
The incident occurred when Mr. Hagos, who had previously stayed at the hotel, returned to borrow a bicycle on 20 October 2024. Parslow, armed with a £770 “specialist” knife purchased online, attacked Mr. Hagos unprovoked, stabbing him multiple times.
Surveillance footage showed Parslow initiating the attack as Mr. Hagos was eating a meal, before chasing him into the hotel’s car park.
The victim suffered severe injuries, with the attack leaving him with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and ongoing physical pain. In a victim impact statement, Mr. Hagos described his life as “turned upside down” and said he no longer feels safe on the streets.
Evidence of Far-Right Ideology
A police search of Parslow’s home uncovered disturbing items, including:
- A tattoo of Adolf Hitler’s signature on his arm.
- A swastika armband and Nazi-era memorabilia.
- A manifesto that Parslow attempted to post online, in which he claimed he was doing his “duty to England” by targeting “Channel migrants.
- Weapons including knives, an axe, and a metal baseball bat.
Parslow’s manifesto also contained hateful rhetoric against Jewish people, Marxists, and globalists, whom he blamed for attacking Christianity and white culture.
Previous Offences
Parslow was under investigation at the time of the attack for unrelated offenses, including malicious communication and exposure. He had sent offensive and sexually explicit messages to a prominent journalist and her daughter, leaving the victims feeling unsafe and traumatized.
In 2018, Parslow was jailed for 30 months for stalking and sending indecent messages to 13 women. His messages were described as sexually graphic and violent.
Sentencing
During sentencing, Mr. Justice Dove noted Parslow’s “extreme right-wing mindset” and “racist and misogynist attitudes.” He was given additional sentences for possession of a bladed article and other offenses, amounting to a total custodial sentence alongside his life term.
Counter-Terrorism Response
Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s counter-terrorism division, condemned Parslow’s actions as an act of terrorism. She stated:
“Parslow’s neo-Nazi views motivated him to viciously attack a man solely based on the color of his skin and his place of origin. This was an act of terrorism aimed at spreading fear and intimidating a community.”
Ongoing Impact
The case underscores the growing threat of far-right extremism and the devastating impact it has on victims and communities. Counter-terrorism officials praised the investigative efforts that brought Parslow to justice, emphasizing the importance of tackling such ideologies to protect vulnerable individuals and maintain public safety.
