A Libyan migrant who previously threatened to torch his taxpayer-funded hotel has been jailed for 24 years for a frenzied knife attack.
Abdalla Barka, 45, repeatedly knifed Hamza Al-Badri outside a cafe in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, after accusing the victim of stealing from him.
The ‘violent and sustained’ attack left Mr Al-Badri with severe wounds to his left leg and he is now unable to walk properly.
Appearing at Southwark Crown Court Barka, who denied his charges, was found found guilty of attempted murder and possession of a knife in a public place by a jury.
Barka was previously jailed for 15 months in 2023 after he threatened to set himself on fire with petrol and a box of matches at a seafront hotel in Swansea.
He had been living at Leonardo’s Guest House when he was asked to leave by hotel staff. It was at this point that he got ‘extremely angry’ and he threatened to ‘burn himself and burn the building’ down
The threats had left the owner of the hotel ‘terrified’ and she burst into tears when she was told about the ordeal.
At the sentencing this week, Judge Alexander Milne said: ‘On 12 February last year you had been working in a cafe on Goldhawk Road. Shortly before 1pm, Mr Al-Badri walked past that cafe.’
Abdalla Barka (pictured), 45, repeatedly knifed Hamza Al-Badri outside a cafe in Shepherd’s Bush, west London , after accusing the victim of stealing from him
Barka was previously jailed for 15 months in 2023 after he threatened to set himself on fire and burn down Leonardo’s Guest House (pictured) in Swansea after he was asked to leave the seafront hotel
The court heard that Barka and Mr Al-Badri had lived together for a brief period but their ‘relationship had deteriorated’ and he accused Mr Al-Badri of stealing from him.
Barka confronted Mr Al-Badri, and then ran after him with a knife that he had swiped from the cafe.
The judge continued: ‘Within a few moments you emerged from the cafe and ran in the direction that Mr Al-Badri had gone, plainly pursuing him.
‘You confronted Mr Al-Badri and began stabbing him with a knife you had brought to the scene. It is a reasonable conclusion that the knife had been taken from the cafe, and you admitted as much in evidence.
‘The attack was violent and sustained. He fell to the ground, and he can be seen defending himself from you with his hands, arms and legs.’
Judge Milne added that had it not been for a ‘brave member of the public’ who intervened ‘there is no sign that [Barka] would have desisted before killing Mr Al-Badri’.
In a statement Mr Barka said that he had been concerned that Mr Al-Badri would try to hurt him.
He said: ‘I was worried about my safety so I hit him and stabbed him. I was worried about my life. I stabbed him many times in the heat of the moment.’
Judge Milne told Barka: ‘You do not seem prepared to accept responsibility for your actions.
‘He said that he was in agony for weeks following the attack and he had to have multiple operations. He is no longer able to walk properly due to the serious wound inflicted on his left thigh. He does not know if he will regain the function of his left leg.’
But the judge added: ‘I accept that you were effectively homeless at the time, and that your lifestyle appears to have been chaotic and disruptive.’
Barka was given a 24-year prison sentence, of which he will serve two-thirds in custody.
He was born in Libya but later moved to Sweden before arriving in the UK eight years ago.
The judge said Barka may be deported when he is released, adding: ‘It may well be that the appropriate authorities consider whether to permit your continued residence in the UK, but that is a matter for another tribunal, and not one that this court is required to rule or give any directions on.’
Barka, of Hunt Close, Shepherd’s Bush, denied but was convicted of attempted murder and possession of a knife in a public place.
