A man armed with a samurai sword and high on crack cocaine who assaulted two innocent persons before being restrained by “multiple” Taser rounds has been found guilty of attempted murder.
Ali Bhatti, of Crawley’s Henderson Road, was convicted yesterday at Hove Crown Court of one count of attempted murder, one offence of grievous bodily injury with intent, and public possession of a bladed instrument.
The 33-year-old used the fatal weapon to assault two innocent members of the public in Crawley on Friday, October 22 of last year, suffering them both major bodily injuries and enduring mental distress.
As a result of Bhatti’s phone calls stating he was going to commit a crime with a samurai sword, the police responded to the location about 8 p.m. He confessed using crack cocaine and that he feared he was the target of an assassination attempt.
While still on the phone with the police, Bhatti left his home and crashed his motorcycle at the Broadfield Roundabout. He then began walking through traffic along Horsham Road while brandishing the samurai sword.
A member of the public who recognised Bhatti inquired about his well-being. Bhatti retaliated by stabbing the 38-year-old guy in the chest and forearm with the sword, inflicting severe injuries.
Bhatti resumed the unprovoked assault by slashing a 61-year-old man who was strolling close on a walkway, causing a severe shoulder wound.
The first cops on the scene were Officers Ryan Oakley and James Arrol-Barker. Before it took effect and Bhatti slumped to the ground, they approached the armed man and fired their Taser numerous times. As soon as he did, the cops held him in handcuffs, confiscated the weapon, and sought medical assistance for the two victims.
After assaulting the two men, Bhatti confronted police and motorists before being stunned with a taser and apprehended by authorities.
In the footage, the man is seen walking up and down a road in Crawley while carrying a massive samurai sword. It shows the guy brandishing the weapon in the air as he approaches numerous automobiles at what is believed to be Cheals Roundabout.
For their efforts in arresting the armed suspect, the two officers have been recognised as the South East regional winners of the 2022 Police Federation Bravery Awards.
Bhatti was arrested and eventually charged with two charges of attempted murder and one count of public possession of a bladed object. A jury has convicted him guilty, and he will be sentenced on Friday.
Detective Constable Scott Parry, of the Crawley Criminal Investigations Department, said: ‘This was an unprovoked and vicious attack on two innocent members of the public, who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
‘The lives of both men have been severely impacted by this assault – not only in their recovery from the physical injuries, but also the mental scars they now endure.
‘I commend their bravery in giving evidence and thank them for supporting our investigation. I hope the verdict delivered today will help them move forward from this deeply traumatic incident, safe in the knowledge a dangerous man has been brought to justice.’
Speaking after the incident, PC Oakley said: ‘I’d be naïve to say I was fine after the incident. I didn’t speak to anyone about it for quite some time. It was my sergeant that recognised this and she supported me, getting me to open up about what I saw and what I’d experienced. I was referred for help and counselling. It took me a long time and I wouldn’t say I’m 100% back but I’m almost there.
‘Teamwork is a massive part of the service and it helps us to aspire to succeed. I had teamwork at the time of the incident and teamwork to support me afterwards, and I’d like to thank my sergeants and colleagues for that.’
PC Oakley and Sgt Arrol-Barker were nominated for a 2022 Police Federation Bravery Award, and at a special ceremony held in London in July, found out they the winners for the South East region.
Sgt James Arrol-Barker said: ‘When I found out I was nominated for the award, I was very proud in the first instance. As most of us have said, it’s just our job. We joined the job to save people, keep people safe, and when you do something like that, it just comes naturally. So to be nominated for an award was particularly special and was a great privilege.’
PC Oakley added: ‘Once the incident was over, a couple of months later, I was told that I’d been nominated for an award. I was shocked, honoured and I felt undeserving.
‘As a police officer, there’s a commitment we make to protect the public and act when others might run away or freeze.
‘We are all people, we all take action and risk our lives every day to protect the public. It’s why we signed up to the job.’
Commending the actions of the two officers, Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges, divisional commander for West Sussex, said: ‘I am so proud of James and Ryan who have rightly been recognised for their bravery and professionalism in responding to this dangerous and shocking incident.
‘Their actions are in the finest traditions of policing; running towards danger and putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the wider public.
‘Policing is a challenging profession but brings out the very best in all of our staff and this is an excellent example of this which has been deservedly recognised on this occasion.’