Taxi driver admits manslaughter (From Ealing Times)

Taxi driver admits manslaughter

5:33pm Friday 6th June 2008 in News By Alex Hayes

A SOUTHALL taxi driver today admitted stabbing a wealthy businessman to death in the street in broad daylight.

Mohammed Habib, 40, killed 56-year-old entrepreneur Ahmed Shah after throwing red chilli powder in his face.

He is thought to have donned a boiler suit and a balaclava for the attack near the victim's home in West End Road, on June 5 last year.

Hussain went on the run after the attack and was arrested in Edinburgh after police launched a nationwide manhunt and issued his picture to the media.

He appeared at the Old Bailey to deny murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.

Psychiatrists have diagnosed him with paranoid psychosis but are asking for further assessment to decide whether he is suitable for hospital treatment.

Prosecutor Jonathan Rees told the court the plea was acceptable to the Crown.

He added: "Both doctors indicate the defendant was suffering from paranoid psychosis at the time of the killing.

"Mr Hussain was under the delusion that he was the victim of persecution by Mr Shah.

"The paranoid psychosis was fixed upon just one person and that may help to explain why no-one picked up that he had a mental illness.

"Both psychiatrists suggest there should be a period of assessment to decide whether a hospital order in appropriate."

Judge Richard Hone QC ordered for the case to be reviewed next week on June 13.

He said: "I certainly think it is right that he should be assessed. In those circumstances I will make an order that such an assessment be carried out."

Mr Shah, a father-of-three, ran an import-export business and dealt in property.

Hussain, of Westbury Avenue, Southall, appeared in court by video link from prison and was remanded in custody to be sentenced on Thursday, July 17.