Manslaughter plea accepted in dog walker Wayne Broadhurst’s murder

A man has admitted killing a dog walker in west London in what prosecutors described as a “surge of violence”.

Dawood Safi, 28, stabbed Wayne Broadhurst, 49, on 27 October 2025. Earlier that day, he stabbed landlord Shahzad Farooq, 45, and a teenage boy in Midhurst Gardens, Uxbridge.

Safi pleaded guilty to Broadhurst’s murder due to diminished responsibility due to his mental state – which was accepted by prosecutors.

He will appear before a jury at Southwark Crown Court accused of attempting to kill Farooq and a 14-year-old boy.

Jonathan Laidlaw Casey, prosecuting, told the court that four mental health experts had concluded that Safi suffered a “total mental breakdown” at the time of the crash.

Psychiatrists described him as neurotic, prone to talkativeness and anxiety, and that he developed “a stubborn sense of right and wrong.”

Laidlaw said: “He was in a psychotic state and lost touch with reality, unable to distinguish between what was real and what wasn’t. He was hearing voices and having false beliefs.”

At a previous hearing, Safi pleaded guilty to lesser charges of grievous bodily harm in relation to Farooq and intent to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to his child.

The court heard today how a witness described Safi as “possessed” before attacking and killing Broadhurst – a man he had never met.

Broadhurst died after suffering multiple stab wounds to the neck, chest and side.

Prosecutors have admitted that Broadhurst’s family wanted Safi to be found guilty of murder.

Safi entered England by truck in 2020. The Ministry of Home Affairs has previously confirmed that he will be granted asylum in 2022.

After the jury was sworn in, the prosecutor detailed more of Safi’s story to the court.

“He talked about his father being killed by the Taliban and being threatened and abused by the Taliban.”

“None of it was true,” Laidlaw said.

Upon his arrival in the country, Safi gave him a false date of birth that made him 23, but he was actually 28, prosecutors said.

The trial continues.

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