An asylum seeker from Sudan faces jail after brandishing a knife at a man preaching Christianity at Speakers’ Corner. Ahmed Mohammed, 35, confronted Daniel Ayettey as he preached to a crowd from a ladder in Hyde Park‘s famous landmark, where open air public speaking is permitted.
Mohammed and Mr Ayettey clashed over religion on May 25 when the Sudanese national asked the preacher: “What would you like to happen in my life?”
Mr Ayettey replied: “I would like to have the Lord in your life.” Witnesses said Mohammed then tried to drag Mr Ayettey down before he ran off.
He returned with a knife, telling the preacher: “I am going to stab you.”
Nicholas Mesure, prosecuting, told Southwark Crown Court Mr Ayettey’s response seemed to be the catalyst as it very quickly changed Mr Mohammed’s demeanour and he became very angry.
He added: “There were a number of people, including Muslims, who were aware of Mr Mohammed and they tried to persuade Mr Ayettey not to call the police.”
But Mr Mesure said officers did attend and arrested Mohammed, who refused to be interviewed.
The asylum seeker, who had applied for indefinite leave to remain in the UK, made denials, but on Friday he was convicted of one county of threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place.
He had pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from a shop in Marble Arch on May 3 and was convicted of one count of failing to comply with a community protection notice.
His sentence was adjourned three times because an alcohol treatment programme report had yet to be submitted.
Judge Nigel Sangster KC said: “Probation in court say they have known him since 2024 but that he has never engaged in any alcohol report since December.”
According to the Daily Mail, the judge said the case would be adjourned, with Mohammed, of no fixed address, remanded in custody.
He is due to appear at the same court on January 16.