Leeds man jailed 25 years for bottle attack on lone woman near bus stop

Ibrahim Albashir, 34, was sentenced to 25 years after pleading guilty to attempted murder on Otley Road, Leeds. Security staff intervened to stop the attack.

Pub security staff hailed as heroes after intervening in Otley Road bottle attack

Google News UK — Crime (en) reports that a Leeds man has been handed a 25-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to the attempted murder of a woman near a bus stop on Otley Road in March 2024.

Ibrahim Albashir, aged 34, of no fixed abode, was made the subject of a hospital order at Leeds Crown Court on 25 August. The court determined, following expert medical advice, that Albashir is suffering from a mental disorder and should be detained in a hospital setting to receive appropriate treatment. If discharged from hospital, he will serve the remainder of his sentence in prison.

Shortly after 9pm on 17 March 2024, police were called to Otley Road following a report from a member of security staff at The Original Oak pub. The caller stated that a man had attacked a woman with a glass bottle near a bus stop. The security worker and a colleague intervened, stopping the assault before police and emergency services arrived.

The victim, now aged 32, was found at the scene with lacerations to her neck, chest, head and hands and was taken to hospital for immediate treatment. Albashir was arrested at the scene, assessed at hospital and subsequently taken into police custody.

Detective Inspector Richard James, of Leeds CID, praised the actions of the security personnel: "Albashir has approached a lone woman and subjected her to a ferocious, sustained attack which has only stopped thanks to the intervention of these security staff."

James added that the staff had heard the victim's screams and rushed to her aid, also treating her injuries before paramedics arrived. "Without their actions, this could very easily have been a murder investigation," he said.

The detective inspector acknowledged the impact on the victim: "It is hard for anyone to imagine the traumatic experience that the victim has been subjected to. Albashir has been convicted of the offence he committed against her, and I hope that this helps her find some form of closure on this truly awful chapter of her life."

James also addressed wider public concern about the case. "We will not tolerate violence against women and girls, and this investigation has been treated with the upmost seriousness since the outset," he said. "We gathered the evidence that has resulted in Albashir being charged with and admitting an offence of attempted murder."

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)