Deputy Mayor responds to Manchester Victoria attacker's guilty plea

Knife attacker Mahdi Mohamud stabbed and slashed at a couple and then attacked Sgt Lee Valentine at Manchester Victoria railway station on New Year's Eve last year.

Earlier today Mr Mohamud pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to three counts of attempted murder and a terror offence - he will be sentenced on Wednesday.

Bev Hughes, Greater Manchester's Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice, said: “The events at Manchester Victoria railway station last New Year's Eve were a vile attack on families and others seeking to enjoy a peaceful night out. Mahdi Mohamud's actions could have been significantly more serious had it not been for the swift and brave response of TfGM Travelsafe and British Transport Police officers, who quickly brought the incident to a close and protected the public. 

“I also want to praise the hard work of Greater Manchester Police and the Counter Terrorism Unit whose professionalism both on the night of the attack and in the subsequent weeks and months contributed significantly to this successful prosecution. 

“Mr Mohamud was acting alone on 31 December 2018. His actions were despicable and he has been rightly punished. Despite Mr Mohamud and people like him, Greater Manchester remains a safe place with a strong community and a united spirit in the face of those who try to divide us.”

Image: sludgeulper on Flickr licensed via Creative Commons

Article Published: 26/11/2019 17:15 PM