A South Sudanese asylum seeker has been sentenced to two years in prison after arriving at a school in Greater Manchester carrying a hatchet, a hammer, a seven-inch kitchen knife, and a container of petrol. Prosecutors argued that Both Douk Deng, 21, intended to set the building on fire.
Incident at Edgar Wood Academy
On August 8 last year, police were called to Edgar Wood Academy in Middleton following reports of a man acting suspiciously outside. The school was closed for the summer holidays and was not due to reopen until September. A workman spotted Deng carrying a petrol can and noticed a hammer tucked into his belt. Deng then walked towards the back of the building before the workman shouted for him to leave. Police arrested him as he walked away from the school.
Officers seized the petrol can, which contained half a litre of petrol, along with the hammer, a hatchet, and a kitchen knife. Prosecutor Brian Berylne told Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court: 'It's the Crown's case that he must have intended to set fire to the school premises.'
Previous Visit to Another School
The court heard that the day before, Deng had visited the nearby Holy Family Roman Catholic and Church of England College. He walked towards the entrance, looked through windows, and lingered in the foyer. When confronted by a builder, he pointed at the school's crest and said 'Baby.' He became 'irritated' and damaged an intercom before leaving after the builder contacted police. Deng then went to a business park, where he was seen throwing two plant pots to the ground.
Motivation and Background
Deng, who identified himself as South Sudanese, had been refused asylum three times. Defence lawyer Sarah Haque stated that he became 'extremely frustrated' with his immigration status. He had fled his home country in 'dramatic circumstances' and wanted to work to support his wife and children. Ms Haque said: 'He believed nobody was listening to him or helping him. His intention was to create a scene for attention in order to try to obtain some kind of help.'
Ms Haque added that Deng thought the school was a hospital or a company building and described his actions as 'bizarre and not the act of a person with a carefully considered plan.' She said: 'The defence would say he wanted attention and was in crisis and wasn't motivated by hostility towards teachers, children or others.'
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Deng, of Heywood, Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty to seven charges: two charges of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, possessing an offensive weapon on school premises, possession of a bladed article on school premises, two counts of criminal damage, and having an article with intent to destroy or damage property.
Jailing him for two years, Judge Bernadette Baxter described the circumstances as 'bizarre.' She acknowledged that Deng had had a 'difficult life' and had suffered trauma, but noted that a psychiatric report identified no mental health condition. She added: 'I have no power to order the Home Office to do anything but in my judgement, your circumstances as a failed asylum seeker, who has been in custody for the best part a year, the Home Office should be doing something rather than nothing to deal with your status in this country.'
Police Response
Chief Superintendent Helen Caldbeck, Greater Manchester Police District Commander for Rochdale, praised the officers' response: 'I'm incredibly proud of the officers' response to this incident. They were professional and brave in tackling a suspicious man armed with weapons and immediately confronted Deng, to keep the public safe. We have thoroughly investigated Deng and cannot find a clear indication of his motive or intention on that day. Thankfully no one was close to coming to harm, but this was nevertheless a disturbing incident. I thank all officers and investigators on this case who have ensured that the appropriate action has been taken and swift justice has been served.'
