A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to two years in prison after he was discovered carrying a seven-inch kitchen knife alongside a hammer and a hatchet on the grounds of Edgar Wood Academy in Middleton, Rochdale.
Police response captured on body-worn camera
Body-worn camera footage released by Greater Manchester Police shows officers leaping from a patrol vehicle and running towards the man, who did not appear to be accompanied by pupils because the incident happened during the summer holiday. A short struggle can be seen as officers restrained him.
He was reported to have been "behaving oddly" in the street before approaching the school and was carrying a petrol can with a hammer fixed to his belt.
The man, identified in court records as Both Douk Deng, was arrested after workmen on the site confronted him on 6 August last year. Prosecutors told Minshull Street Crown Court that he had been walking a full circuit of the school, apparently scanning the building.
Charges and court findings
At his sentencing on 28 July, Deng pleaded guilty to multiple offences, which included criminal damage and possession of weapons and a knife both in a public place and on school premises. The court heard that he had applied for asylum in the UK on three occasions and been refused, and had become increasingly frustrated at immigration authorities' responses.
| Offence | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Possession of a knife on school premises | Guilty plea |
| Possession of weapons in a public place | Guilty plea |
| Criminal damage | Guilty plea |
| Sentence | Two years' imprisonment |
Context and local impact
There were no pupils on site at the time. The incident, which alarmed workmen and prompted a member of the public to call police after seeing the man acting strangely nearby, prompted a swift neighbourhood policing response.
Prosecutors said Deng intended to create a disturbance to draw attention to his immigration situation. The presence of dangerous items on school property underlines the particular sensitivity and potential risk when incidents occur close to educational establishments, even when they are empty.
- Location: Edgar Wood Academy, Middleton
- Date of incident: 6 August (last year)
- Sentence passed: 28 July
Greater Manchester Police and court documents supplied the details of the case. The school community and local residents have been reminded of the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour to police promptly.
Information about safeguarding concerns at local schools is handled by the relevant authorities; anyone with direct concerns about a pupil or school security should contact Greater Manchester Police or the school itself.
