Man sentenced for Crawley attempted murder

A man who used a samurai sword to inflict serious injuries on two members of the public has been sentenced.

At Hove Crown Court on Tuesday (August 30), Ali Bhatti was convicted of one count of attempted murder, one count of grievous bodily harm with intent, and one count of possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Bhatti, 33, of Henderson Walk, Crawley, was sentenced at the same court on Friday (September 2) and given a section 37 hospital order and section 41 restriction order under the Mental Health Act.

The jury heard how Bhatti was brandishing the samurai sword while walking along Horsham Road in Crawley on October 22, 2021.

A member of the public who recognised Bhatti asked him if he was alright. Bhatti responded by stabbing the 38-year-old man with the sword, causing serious injuries to his chest and forearm.

Bhatti continued the unprovoked attack and slashed at a second man, aged 61, who was walking along the footpath nearby, inflicting a large wound to his shoulder.

The two officers who were first on scene – PC Ryan Oakley and Sergeant James Arrol-Barker – deployed their Taser multiple times before it took effect and Bhatti fell to the ground. The officers then placed him in handcuffs, seized the weapon, and sought medical treatment for the two victims.

Detective Constable Scott Parry, of the Crawley Criminal Investigations Department, said: “This was an unprovoked and vicious attack on two innocent members of the public. The lives of both men have been severely impacted by this assault – not only in their recovery from the physical injuries, but also the mental scars they now endure.

“I commend their bravery in giving evidence and thank them for supporting our investigation. I hope the verdict and sentence delivered this week will help them move forward from this deeply traumatic incident.”

Read more about the case here.