Aka first stabbed a man waiting outside A&E, and then went inside where he began ransacking the waiting room in an apparently motiveless attack
A man has been jailed after stabbing an innocent bystander outside hospital before ransacking the A&E waiting room, forcing terrified staff and patients to flee.
Knife-wielding Yusuf Aka was confronted by a brave female nurse in the waiting area of Leicester Royal Infirmary as she bought time for a person in a wheelchair to escape.
Moments earlier chilling CCTV showed Aka, 22, calmly walking towards two men, stabbing one in a blow aimed at the victim’s upper body at 2am on January 16, Nottinghamshire Police said.
Afterwards, he walked through the sliding doors into the packed waiting room and started ripping reception computer terminals out of their power sockets and hurling them around the room.
In the footage, waiting patients and staff are seen running for their lives as heedless Aka can be seen continuing his rampage.
CCTV showed Aka, 22, calmly walking towards two men, stabbing one in a blow aimed at the victim’s upper body
Knife-wielding Aka has been jailed after stabbing an innocent bystander outside hospital
Aka, wearing a hood and sunglasses to hide his face, alked through the sliding doors into the packed waiting room and started ripping reception apart
One wheelchair-bound man is left stranded amid the room’s chairs and is spotted by a calm-headed nurse who approaches Aka, giving the man time to escape – but not before the attacker hurls a computer at him.
With all the waiting patients able to flee, the nurse runs for the nearest doorway leaving Aka alone, still gripping the knife.
Aka, of Grovebury Walk, Leicester had previously admitted grievous bodily harm after stabbing his 25-year-old victim in the back.
He also pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a knife and was jailed for five years at Leicester Crown Court, on Friday, for the attack.
After sentencing, Detective Constable Chris Symmonds said: ‘This was a terrifying experience not only for the victim who was stabbed, but also for the many members of the public and staff who were present that morning.
‘Aka carried on his rampage oblivious to the panic breaking out behind him.
‘The actions of members of staff who quickly took control of the situation, and led people out of his way without a thought for their own safety, was commendable, and they should be proud of what they accomplished.’
In the footage, waiting patients and staff are seen running for their lives as heedless Aka can be seen continuing his rampage
One wheelchair-bound man is left stranded amid the room’s chairs and is spotted by a calm-headed nurse who approaches Aka
With all the waiting patients able to flee, the nurse runs for the nearest doorway leaving Aka alone, still gripping the knife
Kerry Johnston, University Hospitals of Leicester’s emergency department Head of Nursing, paid tribute to the ‘exceptional bravery’ of staff in the face of Aka’s onslaught.
She said: ‘This was a frightening experience for both patients and staff in the department that night, the impact of which cannot be underestimated.
‘My thanks goes to the emergency department staff, involved in the incident, who showed exceptional bravery in bringing this serious attack to a swift and safe conclusion with the help of Leicestershire Police and other members of the public.’
Kerry Johnston, University Hospitals of Leicester’s emergency department Head of Nursing, paid tribute to the ‘exceptional bravery’ of staff in the face of Aka’s onslaught