Somali man who set fire to his Armagh home suffered from ‘heightened paranoia’ after anti-immigration protests

https://armaghi.com/news/armagh-news/somali-man-who-set-fire-to-his-armagh-home-suffered-from-heightened-paranoia-after-anti-immigration-protests/286652

A 20-year-old Somalian national who armed himself with knives inside a chip shop, assaulted a customer, caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and set fire to his Armagh home has been jailed.

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Mohamed Abdikani Ali (20), with an address of Rosemount Park, Armagh, appeared in the dock at Newry Crown Court on Thursday charged with arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.

His Honour Judge Paul Ramsey KC outlined that on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at around 6.30pm, police received a report of a male armed with knives inside the Galley chip shop on Barrack Street, Armagh.

Police attended and observed Ali inside the premises holding a large knife in each hand. Officers repeatedly requested that he put the knives down, but he refused. He then further armed himself with a fire extinguisher, which he used to damage a large fridge inside the shop.

Judge Ramsey said the defendant continued to act aggressively, shouting and gesticulating at police and refusing to disarm. At one point, he was seen standing with his arms out, asking police to shoot him.

Officers were eventually able to enter the premises and apprehend him.

While at the scene, police were informed that Ali had assaulted a male customer who had been in the shop. The victim was struck on the head with the handle of a knife, causing a cut to his head.

Police were also told of significant damage inside the premises, with three large menu TV screens smashed, a fire extinguisher damaged and the display screen on the till destroyed. The cost of repairs was estimated to be in the region of £4,800.

Shortly afterwards, police were made aware of a fire at an address in Rosemount Park, Armagh. At that time, the defendant was already in police custody. Ali confirmed that it was his home address and admitted he had set the fire, stating that no one had been inside the property.

Police attended the scene along with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who confirmed the fire appeared to have been started deliberately. The property was semi-detached and the elderly occupants of the adjoining house had been evacuated prior to police arrival.

The property Ali was living in was said to have been significantly destroyed, with the neighbouring home sustaining smoke damage.

Ali later underwent a mental health assessment and was interviewed by police. He accepted full responsibility for the possession of an offensive weapon, the criminal damage and the assault but initially made no admissions in relation to the arson. He has since pleaded guilty to that offence.

The court was told that Ali comes before the court with a completely clear record and no previous convictions. A probation report outlined that he is a 20-year-old, single, unemployed man.

The court heard that the Home Office is facilitating his request to return to Somalia, as his asylum claim has been rejected and an appeal withdrawn.

The court heard that Ali had limited education after running away from home at the age of 14 and travelling through Somalia, Ethiopia and Libya before travelling through Europe via Italy and Germany, which he described as a “dangerous and traumatic” journey.

He eventually arrived in Ireland and claimed asylum, before later coming to Northern Ireland. Probation was told he has worked with the 14-plus team and had outlined poor mental health, feelings of depression and hopelessness since his arrival.

Judge Ramsey heard that his mental health had deteriorated significantly following anti-immigration protests in Belfast in August 2024, leading to “heightened paranoia”, which was said to have contributed “to the outburst of violence and fire-setting”.

Probation assessed him as socially isolated, never having settled in Northern Ireland or formed community links. He was described as “experiencing poor mental health, depression and a sense of hopelessness at the time of the offences”.

The court heard that Ali apologised to probation and to those present in the chip shop at the time of the assault, insisting “he did not wish to cause anyone harm”.

He also acknowledged the serious potential consequences to the elderly couple living next door, stating “they had been very kind to him and that he would never have intended to hurt them”.

Defence counsel said Ali had expressed genuine remorse and regret and that his actions were the result of “an isolated and depressive state, compounded by earlier traumatic experiences”.

In sentencing, Judge Ramsey said the appropriate starting point was four-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, but taking account of the defendant’s youth, clear record and guilty pleas, this was reduced.

For arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, Ali was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment, made up of 15 months in custody and 15 months on licence.

For assault occasioning actual bodily harm, he received 18 months’ imprisonment — nine months in custody and nine months on licence. The same sentence was imposed for criminal damage, while possession of an offensive weapon attracted a 12-month sentence, with six months in custody and six months on licence.

All sentences are to run concurrently, giving an overall sentence of 30 months — half of which will be served behind bars meaning a release date of next month.