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Birmingham man used petrol to attack mosque worshipper
A man who set fire to two elderly worshippers after they left mosques has been convicted of attempted murder.
Mohammed Abbkr, 29, sprayed petrol on and set Hashi Odowa, 82, and Mohammed Rayaz, 70, alight in separate incidents in Birmingham and London.
Both men needed hospital treatment with Mr Rayaz kept in for several weeks.
Abbkr was found guilty by majority verdict at Birmingham Crown Court over the attacks in Ealing and Edgbaston, earlier this year.
The Recorder of Birmingham, Judge Melbourne Inman KC, told the court he wanted to hear further psychiatric evidence before considering a proposal to sentence Abbkr to a hospital order. He is due to appear at the court on 17 November.
Jurors were told Abbkr had admitted setting fire to both Mr Odowa and Mr Rayaz on fire, in February and March respectively.
Mr Odowa was attacked as he made his way to a neighbour’s car outside West Ealing Islamic Centre, after Abbkr followed him.
Ball of flame
Prosecutor Nicholas de la Poer KC said Abbkr insisted his victim knew him, which was untrue, and that seemed to “provoke” him.
He then used a lighter to ignite petrol he had in a water bottle and sprayed it at Mr Odowa’s head. His victim escaped serious injury because he was able to remove his burning jacket and vest.
A month later, Abbkr set fire to Mr Rayaz, after Abbkr followed him outside after evening prayers at Dudley Road Mosque in Birmingham.
Abbkr threw more petrol on him after the initial flames dissipated, engulfing him “in a ball of flame which subsequently subsided to reveal that he was on fire from head to foot”, the court heard.
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