Delusional diner avoids jail after waiter attack

MAN WHO BELIEVED TERROR ATTACK WAS IMPENDING INFLICTED 5 KNIFE WOUNDS

- CARL JACKSON News Reporter

A MAN who stabbed a waiter at an Indian restaurant over delusional fears of an impending terror attack has been sentenced to a hospital order.

Oliver Parnell inflicted five knife wounds on Fazlu Miah at The Lloyds restaurant in Knowle, Solihull, two days before Christmas in 2023.

Parnell, 28, of Widney Road, Solihull, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was convicted of attempted murder following a trial.

At Birmingham Crown Court he was sentenced to a hospital order as well as a restriction order under the Mental Health Act, meaning if or when he is released Parnell will be supervised by his clinician who can recall him at any stage.

Judge Simon Drew KC said: "This was not an incident to be regarded as a racially-motivated, planned attack by a sane member of the public.

"It was an attack which did have a racial element - unquestionably that's true - that arrived from very disturbed and distorted thinking as a result of a severe mental illness.