A 68-year-old Somali man has admitted killing a 77-year-old pensioner and seriously wounding two other people in a knife rampage at a south London market on Remembrance Sunday, entering pleas of manslaughter and wounding with intent at the Old Bailey on Thursday.
Musse Ali appeared at court wearing a grey hoodie and black coat to admit manslaughter, possession of a bladed weapon and two counts of wounding with intent in connection with the attack at East Street Market in Walworth on 10 November 2024. He denies murder and attempted murder, with his legal team arguing that his responsibility was substantially diminished by a longstanding diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.
The attack, which took place moments before a two-minute silence was observed for Remembrance Sunday, left Hilkiah McLeggan dead at the scene from a single stab wound to the back. Two further victims, Ho Man Yau and Bahera Nadew Bartura, sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital.
Prosecutor Danny Robinson KC told the court that CCTV footage showed Ali entering the market shortly after 10.30am. He attempted to steal from a shop, was pushed away by the shopkeeper, and was then seen to produce a large knife. He stabbed the three victims in rapid succession before lunging at other members of the public, continuing until he was physically restrained by market traders ahead of the arrival of police.
Eight psychiatric reports have been compiled over the course of proceedings, all of which reached the same conclusion: that at the time of the attack, Ali’s schizoaffective disorder had substantially impaired his ability to form rational judgement and exercise self-control, satisfying the legal threshold for a partial defence of diminished responsibility. The Crown Prosecution Service accepted his pleas following consideration at a senior level.
Robinson told the court that Ali had been “too unwell” to participate in proceedings for many months following his arrest. He is currently being held at Broadmoor, the specialist psychiatric hospital. His condition stabilised earlier this year, enabling the proceedings to resume and the final psychiatric assessments to be completed.
Judge Nigel Lickley KC will set a sentencing date at a hearing on 1 May.
