Streatham man jailed for attempted murder after axe attack on friend

A man who launched an unprovoked axe attack on his friend has been jailed for attempted murder.

Mohammed Fadla, 35, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison at the Old Bailey on Monday, 9 December.

He had previously pleaded guilty at the same court to attempted murder following the attack on 23 July 2018.

He struck his friend, who was lying in bed defenceless, several times with an axe then fled in the van he was living in – but then handed himself in to police, claiming he had mental health issues.

Detective Constable Alex Atkinson, who led the investigation, said: “This was a brutal attack on a victim who was unable to protect himself as he lay defenceless on his bed. It is only a matter of luck that he did not lose his life.

“Fadla has been unable to provide us, or the court, with an explanation for his actions that day. However, he clearly has some understanding of what he did, as he contacted police soon after the assault and has pleaded guilty.”

Fadla attacked his friend – who was lying in bed at his Streatham flat – with an axe, striking him numerous times.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to multiple injuries to his head and ear.

Fadla fled the scene in the van which he was living in, before turning himself into police. He told officers that he has no recollection of the assault and claimed that he suffered with multiple mental health issues.