Alid, a devout Muslim who was born in Morocco, came to Britain in 2020 and claimed asylum. He told officials he had been born in Fez but raised in Algeria, possibly in the belief that it would improve his chances of being granted asylum.
Alid claimed he had left North Africa for Spain in 2007 and had then spent years drifting around Europe, spending time in France, Italy, Germany, Scandinavia, Austria and the Netherlands. It is not clear whether he had ever attempted to claim asylum in any of the other countries before coming to the UK in 2020.
Ali travelled by ferry from the Hook of Holland to the north-east of England, where he made an asylum application. He was placed in Home Office-approved accommodation in Hartlepool, along with other asylum seekers.
‘Laughing at Hamas attacks’
His housemates reported a concerning change in his behaviour following the Oct 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel.
Mr Nouri, who survived the knife attack on him, told police later: “He was sitting on the kitchen chair and checking the news on his mobile phone. He was laughing, and every time they would kill somebody he would praise God.”
Two days later, Mr Nouri attended Hartlepool police station to alert them to his concerns, and made an appointment to speak with an officer the following week.
He spoke to officers on Oct 13 and warned them about Ali’s behaviour, mentioning that he had been carrying a knife in the kitchen of the house.
But as no specific threats were reported at that time, it is understood a housing manager agreed to talk to Ali and warned him that he would be evicted if there was any repeat.
The trial heard how, two days later, Alid had broken into the bedroom of his housemate and attacked him while he slept. He shouted “Allahu Akbar” – “God is great” – during the attack, which left the Christian convert fighting for his life.
Alid then walked out into the street and, after coming across Mr Carney, who was on an early morning walk, stabbed him six times and left him for dead.
