Man Admits Manslaughter in West London Dog Walker Death
Wayne Broadhurst died at the scene after being fatally stabbed in an incident described by prosecutors as a "frenzy of violence" in west London.
Dawood Safi, 28, admitted to fatally stabbing 49-year-old Wayne Broadhurst on 27 October 2025.
On the first day of his trial at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, Safi pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, citing a psychotic state. This plea has been accepted by the prosecution.
He is still on trial for the attempted murder of his 45-year-old landlord, Shahzad Farrukh, and a 14-year-old boy in Midhurst Gardens, Uxbridge.
Prosecution Details Mental Health Evidence
Jonathan Laidlaw KC, representing the prosecution, informed the court that four mental health experts concluded Safi experienced a "complete mental collapse" during the incident.
Psychiatrists characterized Safi as neurotic, with tendencies to ruminate and worry, and noted he had developed a "rigid sense of right and wrong."
"He was in a psychotic state and had lost contact with reality. He was not able to distinguish what was real and what was not. He was hearing voices and had delusional beliefs."
At an earlier hearing, Safi also admitted to lesser charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm related to Farrukh and actual bodily harm concerning the boy.
Incident and Victim Details
The court heard testimony from a witness who described Safi as appearing "possessed" before he attacked and killed Broadhurst, a man he had never met.
Broadhurst sustained multiple stab wounds to the neck, chest, and side, which led to his death at the scene.
The prosecution acknowledged that Broadhurst's family had wished for Safi to be convicted of murder.
Background Information on Dawood Safi
Safi entered the UK concealed in a lorry in 2020 and was granted asylum in 2022, according to the Home Office.
After the jury was sworn in, the prosecution provided further background on Safi.
Laidlaw stated that Safi claimed his father had been killed by the Taliban and that he had been threatened and harassed by the group.
"None of that was true,"said Laidlaw.
Upon arrival in the UK, Safi provided a false date of birth, which would make him 23 years old now; however, the prosecution confirmed he is actually 28.
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