Arrest Warrant Issued for Asylum Seeker Who Fled Court During Lunch Break
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of an asylum seeker who failed to return to court following a lunch break during his hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court.
Mustafa Al Mbaidin, a 29-year-old from Jordan, was attending court on Wednesday, March 11, in connection with an assault that occurred on January 24 of the previous year. The hearing was adjourned after Al Mbaidin did not reappear following the midday recess.
Judge's Comments on the Defendant's Absence
Judge Kerry Maylin issued a warrant not backed for bail and adjourned the case until Monday, March 16. The judge stated she was certain Al Mbaidin had voluntarily chosen to disobey his bail conditions, which required him to remain within the court building or its precincts.
"I had a feeling he might not come back," Judge Maylin said, noting she had observed him in the dock and he had not appeared to be a happy individual. She added that he may have been overwhelmed by witnesses maintaining their accounts of the alleged incident.
Details of the Assault Case
The court heard that Al Mbaidin had admitted to a charge of wounding following a Newton hearing to determine the specifics of his offending. Prosecuting attorney John Dyer outlined the events leading to the assault.
According to testimony, Al Mbaidin was assisting Sophie Burnett move into her new home in Southbourne, Dorset, along with friend Muhammed Al-Aseel. Al Mbaidin began making advances toward Ms. Burnett, who asked him to leave. When Al-Aseel encouraged him to depart, Al Mbaidin became aggressive and attacked him.
Witnesses reported that Al Mbaidin had been drinking Champagne during the day. The assault involved headbutting Al-Aseel, placing him in a headlock, and striking him with a bottle and a metal kettle with considerable force, leaving a dent in the kettle.
Impact on the Victims
Mr. Al-Aseel required treatment at the scene by paramedics for a wound that was bleeding profusely before being transported to hospital for further care. Al Mbaidin claimed his actions were in response to aggression from Al-Aseel, but this was contested in court.
Sophie Burnett described the incident as "the most horrific physical assault I have seen in my life," noting that blood was shooting up the sides of her kitchen. She expressed that both she and Al-Aseel were fearful, leading her to seek eight months of counselling with a trauma specialist and an inability to leave her house for four months.
The case highlights the serious nature of the allegations and the legal consequences for failing to comply with court orders, as authorities now seek to locate and apprehend Al Mbaidin to resume proceedings.
