Wolverhampton residents gather in city centre to 'stand with Belfast' after Sudanese man arrested following 'attempted beheading'

Wolverhampton residents gathered at St Peter’s Square last night at 7pm to “stand with Belfast” after a Sudanese man was arrested following a horrifying “attempted beheading” in Belfast.

The suspect, Hadi Alodid, has since been charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife.

Alodid has been remanded in custody for four weeks.

Police previously said he entered the UK in 2023 and was given refugee status.

A video that circulated online of the attack which took place on Monday evening (8 June) showed a number of people, including one wielding a hurling stick, confronting the apparent attacker until the police arrived.

A man injured in the attack, aged in his 40s, sustained significant injuries to his eyes as well as his neck and back. Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard today (Wednesday 10 June) that the victim lost his left eye in the attack.

Last night, houses, cars, and a bus were set on fire in Belfast. Mass protests were organised in major cities across the UK including Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Coventry.

Protesters gathered in Wolverhampton last night holding Union Jack and St George’s flags.

One man who was at the gathering told the Express & Star: “The community has had enough of the way they are been treated the way they are been lied to by the government and councils. We want answers and we want them now!!”.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described the chaos in Belfast on Tuesday night as "shocking and completely unacceptable".