Somali migrant

A Somali small boat migrant allegedly slashed a welfare officer with a large kitchen knife at a hotel housing asylum seekers, a court heard.

Abdifatah Adani, 22, knifed Aaron Gomes “multiple times” at the Stanwell Hotel in Stanwell, Surrey – near Heathrow Airport, at around 6.30pm on Saturday, prosecutors say.

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Armed officers from Surrey Police were called to the scene and Adani was later charged with one count of attempted murder.

Prosecutor Lucy Lumsden told Staines Magistrates’ Court on Monday: “The complainant, Aaron Gomes, was employed as a welfare officer at the asylum hotel.

“This defendant has stabbed him multiple times until Mr Gomes lost balance before managing to escape.

“Police attended and began giving Mr Gomes first aid.

“He had lost a significant amount of blood, was very pale and going in and out of consciousness.”

Ms Lumsden said that Mr Gomes sustained five knife wounds, two to the upper body and three to his leg.

Among them was a “significant” injury to his upper body, after the blade penetrated his chest cavity, Ms Lumsden said.

Police said Mr Gomes was taken to hospital and is now in a “stable condition”.

The court heard that the defendant entered the UK via a small boat.

Adani, who wore a grey tracksuit and was assisted by a Somali interpreter, spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He was remanded in custody to next appear at Guildford Crown Court on September 17.

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