Iraqi immigrant stabbed university student because he wanted to be deported, court hears

A 28-year-old Iraqi immigrant stabbed a university student because he wanted to be deported from Britain, a court has heard.

Teenager Ellis Wheeler, a fresher at Solent University student, was left fighting for his life after Rebaz Mohammed attacked him as he was walking through a park on his way back from the gym.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Mohammed pulled out a kitchen knife from under his coat and lunged at the 18-year-old’s back as he punctured his lung in broad daylight in December 2022.

The court was told how Mohammed ‘could have killed’ his victim after willingly  inflicting ‘serious injury with a weapon’ to achieve his goals.

While Mr Wheeler managed to escape, he passed out before being rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery.

Mohammed, who came to the UK illegally on a small boat, was arrested at the scene.

He later told police that he had attacked his victim so he could be sent back home to Iraq.

The 28-year-old, who has previously served a prison term, appeared at Southampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a knife blade. 

Following the incident, which occurred at Hoglands Park, Southampton, Hampshire, last December, Mohammed was sentenced to six years – with a four year extended license.

The court went on to hear how his 18-year-old victim missed his exams and still struggles to sleep as he his dogged by anxiety. 

Shocking CCTV footage shows the moment Mohammed approaches the first year student, shortly before the savage attack. 

Read Related Also: EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Intrigue remains over Anthony Blunt 

The pair spoke briefly, as the 28-year-old asked him if he knew kickboxing before taking a swing at him.

Afterwards, the student escaped but lost consciousness as a ‘heroic’ friend called 999 and put pressure on his horrific wound until police arrived.

Mr Wheeler was rushed to hospital and undertook surgery for a collapsed lung and remained under observation for five days following the operation.

In prosecuting, Andrew Houston said that Mohammed knew he had to do something to be deported and had spoken to people who knew the immigration system.

Mr Houston said that Mohammed had previously been cautioned for criminal damage and battery.

And in May 2022, he was jailed for 12 weeks for racially-aggravated harassment and stalking.   

Richard Tutt, defending, said that Mohammed, who lived in a hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset, had been ‘making what efforts he could to be deported’ – but had no work and no money.

Mr Tutt said: ‘He believed, from what he had been told, that he needed to commit an offence that was serious enough.

‘He presents as a very naive person. He has experienced remorse, or at least sorrow.’

In sentencing Mohammed, Judge Brian Forster KC berated him for inflicting the horrific injuries to ‘achieve his own end’.

He said: ‘When anyone carries out an attack with a knife it is down to chance.

‘This was an indiscriminate attack. Any member of our community could have been the victim.

‘You were willing to inflict a serious injury with a weapon to achieve your own end. You could have killed the victim.’

Commending the victim’s friend, the judge said he ‘may have saved [his] life’ and awarded him £250.