Police are searching for a Syrian asylum seeker who failed to appear at court to face charges over a drunken attack that left two security guards injured at an Essex migrant accommodation centre.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Adnani Mohammed after Colchester Magistrates Court found him guilty in his absence of two counts of assault by beating on 4 February. The Home Office has confirmed it is assisting police efforts to locate the individual.
The attacks took place at Wethersfield migrant camp near Braintree in April 2024, where Mohammed was residing at the former RAF base. The court heard he launched a violent assault on staff after demanding to see a doctor, punching and headbutting security officers during the incident.
Witnesses described the confrontation as “very violent,” with one security guard sustaining injuries to his mouth. Mohammed swiped at one officer, knocking a body-worn camera to the floor, before headbutting another officer three times and kicking a third in the knee.
A witness told the court the officers “did not do anything to provoke him, and there’s no chance it was self-defence.” The hearing was informed that Mohammed had previously caused significant damage to the security office at the base during a separate violent confrontation.
Mohammed’s defence team had withdrawn before the hearing, leaving him without legal representation when the case proceeded in his absence. The magistrates court delivered guilty verdicts on both assault charges based on witness testimony and evidence presented by prosecutors.
A Home Office spokesperson stated: “We are assisting the police to track down this individual. We will not allow foreign criminals and illegal migrants to exploit our laws.”
The spokesperson added the government is “reforming human rights laws and replacing the broken appeals system so we can scale up deportations.” All Foreign National Offenders who receive prison sentences in the UK are referred for deportation at the earliest opportunity, according to the Home Office statement.
The Wethersfield site, a former RAF base, has been used as accommodation for asylum seekers as part of government efforts to house migrants whilst their claims are processed. The facility has faced criticism over conditions and its suitability for housing vulnerable individuals.
Mohammed’s disappearance before his court date highlights challenges authorities face in maintaining oversight of individuals within the asylum system who are accused of criminal offences. The warrant issued by Colchester Magistrates Court enables police to arrest him on sight.
British Transport Police and Essex Police continue efforts to locate Mohammed, with the Home Office providing assistance in tracking his whereabouts. Anyone with information about his location has been urged to contact authorities.
The case will return to court once Mohammed is apprehended, with sentencing to be determined following his arrest. Assault by beating carries potential penalties including fines and imprisonment, with courts taking into account factors including the severity of injuries and whether attacks were unprovoked.
