Asylum seeker arrested over barbaric attempt to behead man in street 'entered UK' through 'weak link Common Travel Area'

AN asylum seeker filmed trying to behead a man in a barbaric attack in a street in broad daylight said he entered the UK through the Common Travel Area (CTA) between southern and Northern Ireland, the Home Office said.

The Sudanese attacker came into the country in 2023 and was granted five years leave to remain until 2028, it has emerged.

A man, in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a "brutal" knife attack was carried out on the victim in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast.

Video footage, released on social media, showed an attacker straddled over a man who was laying on his back as he appeared to try to cut through his neck with a knife.

At one point, the attacker gestured to those filming by holding up the kitchen knife before carrying on.

He was only stopped when a male bystander smashed a hurling stick into his head a number of times, incapacitating the attacker and sending him to the floor before two police officers arrived on the scene.

The man, in his 30s, remains in custody after the incident in north Belfast at about 10:30pm on Monday.

Police, who said they are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident, have recovered what they believe to be a kitchen knife at the scene.

The victim, aged in his 40s, is in hospital where his condition is described as serious.

Police said he had serious slash wounds to his back and face with eye injuries as well.

A Home Office spokesperson said of the suspect: "We can confirm the individual is a Sudanese national with leave to remain in the UK until 2028. He entered the UK in 2023 and was granted refugee status the same year. The individual claims to have entered the UK via the Common Travel Area."

The CTA is a long-standing open borders zone comprising the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands (Guernsey and Jersey).

It allows British and Irish citizens to move, reside, and work freely between these territories without undergoing routine immigration controls or requiring a visa. 

However, the lack of immigration controls have made it a weak link between the EU and the UK as people can enter southern Ireland and then freely travel into Northern Ireland within the UK and then into the rest of the country.

The Home Office and NCA have carried out a number of operations to target illegal immigrants using the CTA to enter the country.

But, the Home Office has repeatedly refused to provide any information on the number of illegal immigrants who have been found using the CTA in response to Freedom of Information Act requests from UK News and Investigations.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: “This is a deeply concerning assault and I have declared this a critical incident.  We have commenced an investigation to establish a motive.

“This brutal attack will have sent shock waves through the community causing real concern. I want to reassure the local community that we are treating this attack with the utmost seriousness. Our investigation is continuing at pace. Community safety is our priority and we are currently engaging with local representatives and residents to provide reassurance and support.

"Our officers were on the scene within minutes and we wish to acknowledge the members of the public who strived to save the man from further attack. Their willingness to step forward to help another person shows incredible bravery and community spirit.

"We are also aware of footage circulating online and we would strongly urge members of the public not to share or repost these images. Doing so risks causing further trauma to the injured man’s loved ones and may impact the ongoing investigation. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family at this deeply distressing time.

“As our investigation continues we will provide further updates.”

Today, June 9 2026, at a media facility at Police Service of Northern Ireland headquarters in Belfast, Mr Henderson said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the victim and his family. Detectives and specialist officers are supporting them at this difficult time.

“He is in hospital with serious injuries to his eyes and slash-wound injuries to his back and face."

“It is also important to acknowledge the bravery of those members of the public who ran before danger to intervene and help the injured man.

“The PSNI position is to provide as much verified information to the public as possible as our investigation continues.

“I share the public’s revulsion over the brutal nature of this attack which has created concern across Northern Ireland and further afield. I also understand that there are questions regarding the nature of the attack.

“Throughout today we have been liaising with senior counter-terrorism officials.  Due to the nature of the attack, at the stage we have no information to suggest this was terrorist-related.  However, we are still at the early stages of our investigation.

“We understand that there is considerable posting on social media. People have questions and real concerns. But we would ask that the public are mindful of what they view or share online. By sharing footage, this could risk causing further trauma to the injured man’s loved ones and may impact the ongoing investigation.

“We are aware of calls for protest activity across Northern Ireland this evening and continue to monitor the situation and plan accordingly.

“I understand that last night’s attempted murder will leave people feeling a range of emotions from fear to angry. I appeal for calm today. Everyone in Northern Ireland will sadly remember the disorder which took place over the last two years.

“No one needs to see a repeat of this – this only causes damage to local communities and unfortunately young people often get caught up in this disorder. We have one individual arrested who is currently going through the criminal justice process.

“The public can expect to see an increased police presence across Northern Ireland this evening to help, support and reassure all our communities and keep them safe.

“I recognise at difficult time like this, the public will be looking to us for answers, information and reassurance.  I and my teams are committed that as best as we during this fast time investigation to provide, clear, factual and accurate information to all our communities across Northern Ireland."

Anyone who witnessed this incident, or who may have captured dash-cam or CCTV footage from the area which could help with their investigation, is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1654 08/06/26.

A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.