Birmingham, United Kingdom – In a shocking episode of brutality caught on video, Abdul Wahab, 29, savagely attacked a man with a hammer in a local shop before fleeing the country. The incident occurred on February 21, in the bustling neighborhood of Spark Hill, Birmingham.
CCTV footage captured Wahab as he entered the corner shop brandishing the hammer and assaulted the unsuspecting victim, a man in his 20s, who was engaged in showing something on his phone to the shop clerk. The attacker delivered several brutal blows to the victim’s skull in what seemed like an act of revenge.
Shortly after the attack, which lasted merely six seconds, Wahab discarded the hammer in a nearby park lake and made his way to Heathrow Airport. He boarded a flight to Abu Dhabi but was arrested upon his return to the UK on March 26, under the watchful eye of law enforcement.
Body camera footage from the arrest shows Wahab, who displayed a smirk as officers detained him. The severity of the attack left the victim with life-threatening injuries, including significant swelling and a bleed on the brain. Medical intervention required the insertion of metal plates in the victim’s skull and jaw to address the extensive damage.
Birmingham Crown Court sentenced Wahab to a 21-year prison term on October 25, following his admission of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing an offensive weapon. The court also convicted him of attempted murder.
Detective Constable Sam Higginson commented on the case, highlighting the ferocity of the attack. “This was a brutal attack on a man in a shop in the middle of the day. The man suffered serious head injuries, including a bleed to the brain, and had metal plates fitted in his skull. He was in hospital for more than a month,” Higginson said.
Reflecting on the outcome, Higginson added, “Wahab then fled the country in a desperate bid to escape justice. Fortunately, we arrested him on his return to the UK. This sentence sends out a clear message to perpetrators who act in this way. We will find you, you will be convicted, and you will spend many years behind bars.”
The swift justice and hefty sentence awarded to Wahab serve as a stern warning to others about the severe consequences of engaging in such violent crimes. This case not only underscores the efforts of UK law enforcement to apprehend and prosecute individuals who seek to evade justice but also reflects the courts’ commitment to maintaining public safety by removing dangerous individuals from the streets.