Man tried to murder two elderly Muslims by setting them on fire outside mosques, court hears

AN attacker tried to murder two elderly Muslims by spraying them with petrol and setting them on fire outside mosques, a court heard.

Mohammed Abbkr, 29, was allegedly angry the first failed to recognise him and said: “I swear in the name of Allah you will know me.”

He targeted the second four weeks later because he did not speak Arabic, Birmingham crown court was told.

Hashi Odowa, 82, suffered severe burns in Ealing, West London, on February 27.

Mohammed Rayaz, 70, escaped with minor burns in Birmingham on March 20.

Prosecuting, Nicholas de la Poer KC said Abbkr “sprayed Mr Odowa with a light-coloured liquid, aiming for his head.”

He continued: “The defendant had brought the liquid with him to the mosque in a plastic white bottle.

“The defendant then took out a lighter and struck the lighter holding it to Mr Odowa’s neck and igniting the petrol and walked away.”

Abbkr, of Birmingham, came to Britain from Sudan in 2017 and was granted asylum in 2019.

He has admitted he set fire to the victims but denies attempted murder and using petrol with intent to endanger life.

The trial continues.