Illegal immigrant locked up for fatal stabbing

Published on Saturday 3 January 2009 10:07

AN illegal immigrant who stabbed a wealthy businessman to death in the street in broad daylight before fleeing to Edinburgh has been locked up indefinitely.

Minicab driver Mohammed Habib, 41, attacked 58-year-old entrepreneur Ahmed Shah near his home after blinding him with red chilli powder.

Habib also doused the victim with diesel.

The killer was arrested in Edinburgh a month later after police launched a nationwide manhunt.

Habib, who came to the UK from Pakistan in 1996, claimed Mr Shah was persecuting him by exposing his false claims to be an Afghan refugee.

Psychiatrists have since diagnosed him as suffering from paranoid psychosis.

Habib, of Southall, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.

Judge Richard Hone QC made orders under the Mental Health Act without limit of time.