Maniac who launched frenzied bottle attack on female student admits attempted murder | UK | News
Ibrahim Albashir was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court (Image: Getty)
A maniac who carried out a frenzied bottle attack on a lone schoolgirl in Leeds admitted attempted murder on the first day of his trial. Ibrahim Albashir, 32, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to a random and unprovoked attack that left his victim with severe cuts to his head and neck.
The attack took place at around 9pm on March 17, 2024, on Headingley High Street, near the Original Oak pub on Otley Road, a busy student area. The woman, in her 30s, was walking home after dinner at a nearby restaurant when Albashir attacked her without warning or provocation.
He broke a bottle and launched a brutal attack; he continued even as horrified witnesses rushed to help. Only physical intervention by brave members of the public stopped the madness. Prosecutors said the attack could easily have been fatal if quick action had not been taken.
The Crown Prosecution Service built a strong case using the victim’s statement, statements from numerous witnesses, medical evidence of his injuries and CCTV cameras passing by buses that captured Albashir just before the horrors unfolded.
An expert medical witness confirmed that Albashir was fit to have murderous intent. His actions were “repetitive and deliberate” and he was fully aware of what he was doing throughout the attack.
Albashir initially denied responsibility but was confronted by overwhelming evidence gathered by West Yorkshire Police. As his trial was about to begin, he changed his defense and was immediately taken into custody. He will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on June 16.
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Senior Crown Prosecutor Aamir Sajad, of CPS Yorkshire & Humberside, said: “This was a horrific and completely unprovoked attack on a young woman walking home after an evening out. Ibrahim Albashir deliberately targeted her and caused serious injuries that could easily have killed her. It is a testament to the bravery of the witnesses who intervened that she is still alive today.”
“Albashir initially sought to avoid responsibility for his violent actions, but we were able to work closely with West Yorkshire Police to provide clear evidence that he knew exactly what he was doing. I hope today’s outcome provides some relief to the victim and shows that the CPS will always seek to prosecute those who commit violence against women and girls.”
The case sent shockwaves through Headingley, a popular nightlife spot filled with students and teenagers. Police stated that the attack was random and that the victim and the attacker were complete strangers.
Detectives praised members of the public who intervened, saying their bravery probably saved a life. Albashir’s guilty plea saves the victim the trouble of testifying at trial, but the physical and psychological scars of the bottle attack will remain.
Sentencing on June 16 is expected to include significant time behind bars for what prosecutors called a grisly, unprovoked attempted murder.
