Oxford Mosque Rambo Knife Attacker Jailed After Savage Stabbing

A young man has been jailed for more than a decade after stabbing a man with a Rambo knife outside a central Oxford mosque

By Ben Freeman

Hassan Hussain, 25, of Nye Bevan Close, Oxford, was convicted by a unanimous jury verdict of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and had earlier pleaded guilty to a single count of possessing a knife. He was acquitted of attempted murder and possession of a firearm, having denied both charges. He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for the crimes at a hearing that took place on Thursday 11 April 2025.

The attack occurred on the afternoon of 13 March 2024 on Manzil Way, a street in the Cowley Road area of Oxford. The victim, a 42-year-old man, was approached and violently assaulted by Hussain, who was armed with what police later described as a Rambo-style knife. The victim sustained multiple stab wounds during the assault, including serious injuries to his abdomen, left hand, and forearm. After the attack, the injured man sought refuge in a nearby mosque, where worshippers administered immediate first aid before an ambulance was called.

The victim was subsequently transported to hospital where he underwent emergency treatment for his injuries. Thames Valley Police launched a major investigation within hours of the incident. Hussain was identified as a suspect and arrested the following day. He was charged on 16 March 2024.

At trial, prosecutors alleged that Hussain had launched the attack with clear intent to cause serious harm, referencing the nature of the weapon and the location of the stab wounds. Following the trial’s conclusion, he was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent. The jury returned not guilty verdicts on the counts of attempted murder and firearm possession.

Two other men who stood trial alongside Hussain were also acquitted. Shahroz Khan, of Mortimer Road, Oxford, and Bilal Khan, of Abingdon Road, Oxford—both 25—were found not guilty of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. Their trial concluded on 7 February 2025, with the jury returning unanimous verdicts.

In a statement following sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Krista Thompson of Thames Valley Police, who led the investigation, described the stabbing as an “act of extreme violence” and reaffirmed the force’s commitment to pursuing offenders who carry and use knives. She issued a warning that those caught with weapons in public should expect to be stopped, searched, arrested and charged, and in some cases remanded directly into custody.