Schizophrenic detained indefinitely for Keighley knife rampage

Raheem Nawaz, 20, went on a "rampage" in the town centre while high on drink and drugs in August last year.

Armed with a 6in (15cm) knife, Nawaz embarked on a terrifying knife attack, wildly slashing and stabbing revellers as they enjoyed a night out in the West Yorkshire town.

Bradford Crown Court was told two of his victims nearly died from their injuries, while three were women waiting for a taxi.

The court was told Nawaz "remains seriously disturbed" and often hears voices and believes that members of the public can hear his thoughts and are laughing at him.

His condition is exacerbated by drink and drugs, the court was told, but it can be treated and a place has been found for him at Rampton Hospital, Nottinghamshire.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge James Stewart, QC, said the public needs protecting from Nawaz and ordered that he be placed under a hospital order "without limit of time".

He told Nawaz: "On 20th August of last year you went on the rampage, wildly stabbing seven people quite indiscriminately.

"You had no issue with any of them, you just decided to stab them with a horrendous-looking knife which you had just bought for that purpose. Two of your victims nearly died.

"You shouted 'I will kill you mother-f******', and that is precisely what you attempted, to murder no fewer than seven innocent citizens."

The judge said he believed Nawaz, of Keighley, aimed for his victims' hearts.

"The public will be relieved you may never be free again to behave like this.

"The only saving grace for this dreadful violent behaviour is that, at the time, you were, and still are, seriously mentally ill."

The court was told his first victim was Mohammed Nazam, who knew the defendant by name, and was attacked as he sat on a wall with his uncle after visiting a mosque.

He collapsed after he was stabbed in the chest and his wound was described as "potentially fatal" by a surgeon.

Later, Nawaz attacked three women outside a pub. Sarah Wade, Carol Owlett and Fiona Haughey were enjoying a night out and were waiting for a taxi outside the Livery Rooms pub when they were confronted by Nawaz.

Sarah Wade suffered life-threatening injuries when she was stabbed in the chest and abdomen.

Her life was saved by two men, Matthew Dykes and William Smith, who were commended by the judge for probably saving her life by stemming the flow of blood.

The court was told another woman, Fiona Moorhouse, went to see what was happening and was also attacked, suffering a minor neck wound.

James French was stabbed as he walked past the pub as he tried to find a taxi. The court was told he was stabbed in the neck and shoulder as he went to help one of the other victims.

The court was told there was a "bizarre turn of events" involving the final victim, Majid Hussain, who is the brother-in-law of the first victim.

He was attacked as he returned from visiting Mr Nazam in hospital, receiving neck and shoulder injuries.

Nawaz, who has previous convictions for assault and drug dealing, received minor injuries himself as he was detained by members of the public who came rushing to the scene to help.

He was charged with seven counts of attempted murder and pleaded guilty to the offences at Bradford Crown Court last December.