Frustrated Asylum Seeker Jailed Two Years Over UK School Arson Attempt

Douk Deng, a 21-year-old South Sudanese national seeking asylum, has been handed a two-year prison sentence. His conviction follows an incident where he arrived at a school premises equipped with a collection of weapons and containers of petrol, an act prosecutors described as a plan to ignite a fire. Authorities apprehended Mr. Deng, who was found in possession of a hatchet, a hammer, and a seven-inch kitchen knife.

Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard that this disturbing event unfolded after Deng's asylum application had been rejected three times, leading him to become "extremely frustrated in relation to his immigration status." Police were called to the Edgar Wood Academy in Middleton, Greater Manchester, on August 8 last year, following reports of a man behaving suspiciously outside the institution.

The secondary school was closed for the summer holidays and not scheduled to reopen until the subsequent month. However, prosecutors believe Deng's intention was to set the building ablaze. Prosecutor Brian Berylne informed the court that a workman had observed Deng carrying a petrol can, with a hammer tucked into his trousers' belt. Mr. Berylne stated that Deng then proceeded towards the rear of the building before the workman "shouted for him to leave."

Police arrested Deng as he walked away from the school. Officers confiscated the petrol can, which contained half a litre of fuel, along with the hammer, hatchet, and kitchen knife. Mr. Berlyne asserted, "It's the Crown's case that he must have intended to set fire to the school premises."

It was revealed in court that this was the second school Deng had visited within two days. The day prior, he had gone to the nearby Holy Family Roman Catholic and Church of England College, where he approached the entrance, peered through windows, and lingered in the foyer. When confronted by a builder, he pointed at the school's crest and uttered, "Baby." Mr. Berlyne added that Deng became "irritated" and damaged an intercom before departing after the builder contacted police. Subsequently, the asylum seeker walked to a nearby business park, where he was seen throwing two plant pots to the ground.

Deng, who identified himself as South Sudanese, had previously pleaded guilty to seven charges. These include two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, possessing an offensive weapon on school premises, possession of a bladed article on school premises, and two counts of criminal damage. He also admitted to having an article with intent to destroy or damage property.

Sarah Haque, defending, argued that Deng had no intention of causing "harm" to anyone. She explained that he had become frustrated after arriving in the UK and being housed in a multi-occupancy dwelling with other asylum seekers who he felt had received more assistance than him. Ms. Haque highlighted that Deng had fled his home country under "dramatic circumstances," found himself in a foreign land, and desired to work to support his wife and children. She stated, "He believed nobody was listening to him or helping him. His intention was to create a scene for attention in order to try to obtain some kind of help."

Ms. Haque further suggested that Deng believed the school was either a hospital or a company building, describing his actions as "bizarre and not the act of a person with a carefully considered plan." She concluded, "The defence would say he wanted attention and was in crisis and wasn't motivated by hostility towards teachers, children or others."

In sentencing him to two years, Judge Bernadette Baxter also described the circumstances of the offence as "bizarre." While acknowledging Deng's "difficult life" and the "no doubt" trauma he had endured, she noted that a psychiatric report had not identified any mental health condition. Judge Baxter added, "I have no power to order the Home Office to do anything but in my judgement, your circumstances as a failed asylum seeker, who has been in this custody for the best part a year, the Home Office should be doing something rather than nothing to deal with your status in this country."

Chief Superintendent Helen Caldbeck, Greater Manchester Police District Commander for Rochdale, commended her officers' response, stating, "I'm incredibly proud of the officers' response to this incident. They were professional and brave in tackling a suspicious man armed with weapons and immediately confronted Deng, to keep the public safe." She added that a thorough investigation had not found a clear indication of Deng's motive or intention that day. "Thankfully no one was close to coming to harm, but this was nevertheless a disturbing incident," Chief Superintendent Caldbeck concluded, thanking all involved for ensuring swift justice.