Jury Finds that Norris Henry Killed Ali Abucar Ali
Paranoid schizophrenic also stabbed Betty Ward
Ali Abucar Ali (left) coached basketball to local children. Picture: Chiswick Gators
April 14, 2023
A jury at the old Bailey has concluded that a man from Brentford was the person who fatally stabbed Ali Abucar Ali and wounded Elizabeth Walsh.
They had been asked by the judge to make a determination of the facts in the case as the defendant was deemed not fit to stand trial.
38-year-old Norris Henry, of Brook Road South, was found to have stabbed the two people on Albany Road in November 2021.
The unprovoked attack on the pair, who were completely unknown to him, came the day he was due to receive a mental health assessment.
The police cordon outside kebab shop on Albany Road. Picture: Twitter
The court was told this Thursday (13 April) that he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and therefore a guilty or not guilty verdict was not required.
Henry appeared at the Old Bailey hearing by video-link from a psychiatric hospital while members of the victims’ families attended in person.
Ali had just left a Friday evening coaching session at the Chiswick School sports hall, where he volunteered with the Chiswick Gators basketball team. The 20-year-old had attended the school and was currently studying at Kingston University.
Henry initially approached 82-year-old, Elizabeth Ward, known as Betty, who was well known in the local area having worked as a barmaid in local pubs. He stabbed her with a 25cm and then as Ali approached, he said, "you want it as well?", and stabbed him in the chest.
Betty Walsh. Picture: Facebook
Betty Ward has recovered from her physical wounds but Ali was pronounced dead at the scene.
The prosecution said that Henry was the only person that could have carried out the attacks and that he suffered from delusions that people around him in the street wished him harm. CCTV showed him brandishing a large knife.
He is due to be sentenced on 2 May.
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