"Aufmerksamkeitssuchender" Mann inhaftiert, weil er mit Hammer und Küchenmesser in die Schule gekommen ist

A failed asylum seeker who arrived at a school in Greater Manchester armed with a hammer, a hatchet and a kitchen knife has been sentenced to two years in prison. South Sudanese national Both Douk Deng, 21, was arrested on August 6 last year after workers on the premises of Edgar Wood Academy in Heywood encountered him behaving erratically. The incident unfolded as Deng, who had previously been denied asylum on three occasions, made his way to the school during its summer closure, reportedly seeking attention for his case. Deng was observed acting strangely in the surrounding area by a member of the public, who later alerted authorities. CCTV footage obtained by Greater Manchester Police shows Deng walking a full circuit around the school, scanning the building while carrying a petrol can with a hammer attached to his belt. As he approached the site, builders became concerned and contacted the police. Deng was apprehended as he attempted to leave the premises, according to court records. During the encounter, Deng was seen kicking over a traffic cone and stamping on a road sign. Bodycam footage captured him wailing as he was subdued by officers. The video also reveals that he was in possession of a seven-inch kitchen knife along with the hammer and hatchet. A jerry can containing half a litre of petrol was also recovered from his belongings. The prosecution argued that Deng's actions were driven by frustration over his lack of progress in securing residency and employment in the UK. Having been denied asylum multiple times, he allegedly sought to create a scene to draw attention to his plight. The court heard that Deng had previously targeted another school, Holy Family RC and CE College in Rochdale, where he kicked and damaged its intercom system a day prior to the incident at Edgar Wood Academy. Defence lawyer Sara Haque stated that Deng claimed his actions were not aimed at harming anyone. She described the behaviour as a compulsive act stemming from deep personal distress, noting that Deng had left Sudan and his family behind under traumatic conditions. According to her, Deng struggled with limited English and faced barriers to work due to his immigration status. He felt ignored and unsupported, leading to a breakdown in coping mechanisms. Deng was housed in multiple temporary accommodations upon arrival in the UK, yet he remained unsatisfied with the level of assistance received. His legal team emphasized that there was no evidence suggesting he intended to threaten individuals, nor did he display hostility toward students, educators, or the general public. Psychological evaluations conducted on Deng did not uncover significant mental health concerns. Despite this, the court ruled that he would serve up to half of his two-year sentence in custody, with the remaining portion served on licence. Judge Bernadette Baxter noted that while she could not compel the Home Office to take action, she expressed concern over the lack of resolution regarding Deng's immigration status, particularly given his prolonged detention. Investigations by Rochdale CID included a thorough examination of Deng’s mobile phone, though no specific motive or intent beyond seeking attention was uncovered. Chief Superintendent Helen Caldbeck praised the professionalism and bravery of the responding officers, highlighting their swift and effective handling of the situation.