Asian stabbed for 'being a terrorist'

Published on Wednesday 16 January 2008 23:40

A WOMAN stabbed an Asian man in an unprovoked attack, telling him "you're all terrorists", a court heard yesterday.

Mary McKay, 32, walked up to Tarik Husan and Sarbaz Kamil, in a Glasgow street and knifed Mr Husan repeatedly in the chest and arm.

As Mr Husan, who cannot speak English, broke away, bleeding heavily, she told them: "You're all terrorists."

Yesterday, at the High Court in Glasgow, McKay admitted attempting to murder Mr Hasan.

The attack, in Tollcross Road, happened on 10 September last year, the eve of the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

The court heard that, after the attack, McKay walked into a shop still clutching the knife and waited for the police to arrive.

Vinit Khurana, prosecuting, said: "During a police interview, the accused said she had stabbed Mr Husan – who was wearing an 'NY' T-shirt – because he was a terrorist."

Later, she said: "I hope the guy is dead. I just stabbed a guy with the same colour of skin as a terrorist. I just saw the two Pakis and he had an NY on his top.

"It was three plunges. I know that there are severe consequences. I know it's at least attempted murder."

The court was told that Mr Hasan suffered a stab wound to the left side of his chest and one to his arm. He has made a good recovery, but still has scars.

Alan Nicol, defending, said that McKay was abusing cocaine at the time of the offence.

He said: "She thinks what caused her to act this way was taking cocaine. Her intention was to take a 62 bus and stab her mother, but she missed the bus and stabbed the complainer instead.

"She says that she became increasingly angry and excited about the planned confrontation with her mother.

"She told the police she had watched television programmes about the London bombings and 9/11 and felt for the victims," said Mr Nicol.

"However, she now says this was something she said when she realised the victim wasn't Glaswegian."

Mr Nicol added: "She is remorseful about what she did, apologises and feels she has turned another innocent person into a victim."

Judge Lord Menzies told McKay, who is also known as Carroll: "This was a violent attack on a complete stranger in the street with no logical motive. I am concerned there is a risk to the public."

Lord Menzies deferred sentence until next month and asked for a risk assessment of the danger McKay poses to the public to be carried out.

McKay is currently being held in custody.