Man given indefinite sentence for killing widowed dad of 11 with 'big heart'

A mentally ill man who fatally stabbed a "deeply compassionate" widowed father of 11 has been given an indefinite sentence under the mental health act.

In August, Mujeeb Rahman Hassani, 41, from Cardiff, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Ibrahim Yassin, 64, from Cardiff, on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Yassin's family described him as someone with a "big heart" who had established a free funeral charity for those who could not afford it.

The court heard Hassani, who has paranoid schizophrenia, had been released from a mental health unit three days before the killing on 18 February 2024.

He will remain at Ashworth Secure Unit, where he has been held since June 2024.

On Friday, the court heard Yassin was a volunteer caretaker at the South Wales Islamic Centre in Butetown, Cardiff, and a popular, well-respected member of the community.

In a victim impact statement, his son Gulaid Ibrahim, described him as "a man people trusted" who "had a big heart".

It was revealed that Yassin had become a single father of 11 after his wife died giving birth to their twins, now aged 16.

Ibrahim said: "They've been left to face their teenage years without either parent."

"His loss will be felt by his children, but also across families and generations around the world," he added.

The family also spoke of their frustration that a doctor had advised for Hassani not to be released, saying it had "left them with a profound sense of sadness" and "questions".

"It was deeply painful to know about Hassan's history", Ibrahim added.

"We hope lessons are learnt so no other family have to go through what we are."

The court heard Hassani, who had no previous convictions, had in recent years developed paranoid episodes, believing people wanted to harm him. He was also failing to take his medication.

In January 2024, after an incident in which Hassani was found chest-deep in the River Taff in Cardiff, he was taken to a mental health unit and remained there until 15 February.

On 18 February, Hassani went to the South Wales Islamic Centre for morning prayers, with Yassin also there.

The pair, who did not know each other, left separately after 06:00 and CCTV showed that at 07:00 Hassani left his flat with a knife and walked to Yassin's home on Belmont Walk in Butetown.

Shortly after 09:00 he entered Yassin's home and attacked him at the door with a knife repeatedly stabbing him all over his body.

Yassin suffered catastrophic injuries to the neck, with his daughter calling emergency services who arrived within two minutes.

Hassani was seen fleeing on CCTV and running around Butetown with a knife with a white towel around his arm, where he had an injury.

He was found by police and taken to hospital where he told a doctor he had killed someone.

Hassani was arrested and held in custody.

The court heard how Yassin's blood was found on the knife, with bloodstains at Yassin's home and an empty knife package in Hassani's flat.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, Ibrahim said his father was a "man of faith", who was "devoted" to his children and grandchildren.

"He was the centre of our family and the person we looked up to for guidance, protection and support," Ibrahim added.

He described his father as a "deeply forgiving person" who "didn't hold grudges and believed in giving people second chances.

"He was a respected and trusted member of community where many people could depend on him."

The court also heard how Yassin was a founding member of a funeral charity that gave free services to people who could not afford it.

"He did it without seeking recognition," Ibrahim added.

"He was deeply compassionate."

After considering reports from two psychiatrists, Judge Lloyd-Clarke concluded Hassani's responsibility was significantly reduced.

Both psychiatrists said he would not have committed the killing without his illness.

Hassani remains symptomatic, with delusional beliefs and no insight into his condition.

During the hearing, psychiatrist Dr Dilum Jayawickrama described Hassani as having an "extremely serious mental disorder" and said he thought he would be best managed within a hospital setting under a hospital order where his mental health could be closely monitored.

Lloyd-Clarke said Yassin's death had caused "immeasurable grief" to his family, friends and the wider community, adding that no sentence could ease their "profound and devastating" loss.

Hassani, who did not attend the sentencing hearing virtually or in-person, was given an indefinite hospital order under the mental health act, and was also given a section 41 restriction order.