Wayne Broadhurst's neighbour blames Home Office 'failures' for dog walker being killed by Afghan refugee

Wayne Broadhurst's neighbour has hit out at the Home Office for their "complete failure" after he was stabbed to death by an Afghan migrant.

The 49-year-old dog walker was fatally killed by Dawood Safi, 28, on October 27 last year, as part of a "vicious and ferocious" attack in which the migrant also attempted to murder his landlord and stabbed a teenager.

Mr Broadhurst was stabbed 14 times in the head, neck, chest and back by Safi in an attack one witness described as a "butchering".

The attack occurred "for no apparent reason, rational or otherwise," prosecutor Jonathan Laidlaw KC said.

The Honourable Mrs Justice Cutts sentenced him to an indefinite hospital order today, saying Safi was "suffering from a psychotic state".

Speaking to GB News outside Southwark Crown Court, neighbour Lara Wilsher said the gruesome crime was "preventable," adding: "Wayne should still be here."

During the trial, the court was told Safi lied about his age, claiming to be 17, when he arrived in the UK illegally on the back of a lorry in 2020.

He was subsequently granted asylum in 2022.

"This whole trauma should never have happened. He arrived here illegally," Ms Wilsher told the People's Channel.

"It's a complete failure of the Home Office. They didn't verify his age."

She added: "If they'd done their job properly in the first place, he wouldn't have been in the country, and Wayne would still be here. It's as simple as that."

Mrs Justice Cutts made a recommendation to the Home Office to deport Safi, telling the court: "I am satisfied your continued presence in the UK is to its detriment."

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Additionally, a UK Government spokesman insisted they "are committed to doing everything possible to deport FNOs (foreign national offenders) and are clear they should have no place in this country."

They added: "As previous governments have found, this necessarily involves the agreement of the receiving country, which has not always been possible in some countries. But we are currently working with colleagues across government to explore all possible options in this case."

Ms Wilsher was not convinced: "Do you think it's going to happen? Do you really think they're going to deport him?" she furiously asked.

"It'll be wrapped up in legal wrangling. He's not even got a prison sentence - he's got hospital, and then a recommendation of deportation.

"It'll turn out to be against his human rights, and they won't do it. We know how it works."

Following today's sentencing, Mr Broadhurst's family gave an emotional tribute: "Our family is devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved Wayne Broadhurst, aged 49.

"Wayne was a kind, caring and loving man who meant the world to us. He had a heart of gold and was the type of person who would do anything for anyone. He never met a stranger and had a way of making everyone feel welcome. To those who knew him, Wayne was more than a family member or friend – he was someone you could always rely on.

"Wayne's passion for Liverpool Football Club was well known. He lived and breathed football, and supporting Liverpool brought him immense joy. Whether watching a match with family and friends or talking football with anyone who would listen, his enthusiasm was infectious.

"The loss of Wayne has left an enormous void in our lives that can never be filled. We will cherish the memories, laughter and love he gave us every day, and we will miss him beyond words.

"As a family, we would like to thank everyone who has shown us kindness, compassion and support during this incredibly difficult time. We also ask that our privacy is respected as we come to terms with our devastating loss.

"Wayne will forever remain in our hearts and will never be forgotten."

Detective Inspector Richard MacKenzie, who led the investigation, described the incident as a "shocking attack" that has had a "huge impact on the local community."

"As the tributes paid to him after his death showed, Wayne was a hugely popular member of the community and my thoughts remain with his family and loved ones," he said.

"I want to recognise the devastating impact of Safi’s brutal attack on his two victims who survived the attack and to commend the exceptional bravery they showed in the face of such violence.

"The physical and emotional consequences of this traumatic incident are likely to be felt for many years to come."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "This was a horrific attack which resulted in the loss of an innocent life and our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of the victim.

"The court has ordered that the offender be detained indefinitely in a secure hospital following this appalling attack. Foreign nationals who commit serious crimes should expect to face the full force of the law, and we will always seek to remove those who pose a danger to the public where it is legally possible to do so.

"Decisions on deportation are considered carefully on a case-by-case basis in line with the law and it would not be appropriate to comment further on an individual case."

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