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Stephen Ogilvie, in his 40s, was stabbed in a brutal attack on Kinnaird Avenue in northern Belfast on Monday evening, allegedly by a 30-year-old Sudanese asylum seeker. Mr Ogilvie is currently in hospital receiving treatment for severe injuries, while the suspect faces charges including possession of a blade in public and making threats to kill.
The suspect, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court later today, facing charges that include possession of a blade and making threats to kill. Police have confirmed that there is no indication the attack was terror-related, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack in Belfast, stating, “I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets.” The accused is set to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court later today, with police asserting there is no indication the incident was terror-related.
What remains unclear — It is not known why Stephen Ogilvie was attacked by the Sudanese asylum seeker.
Belfast stabbing victim named as Stephen Ogilvie following city riots
The man who was stabbed in the brutal Belfast attack, which sparked city riots, has been identified by neighbours as Stephen Ogilvie.
Mr Ogilvie, believed to be in his 40s, was attacked on Monday evening after allegedly being attacked by a 30-year-old Sudanese asylum seeker.
Graphic footage was shared across social media after the attack, which took place on Kinnaird Avenue in northern Belfast.
Mr Ogilvie was seen lying on the ground as the suspect sat atop of him, with a knife to his throat.
The 30-year-old accused is also charged with possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill.
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Neighbours told the Daily Mail that Mr Ogilvie, who is in hospital receiving treatment for his severe injuries, was living in the same block of flats as his alleged attacker.
One neighbour said: ‘He’s a vulnerable person, apparently. There’s a lot of information swirling around as to what happened. Nobody knows for sure why Stephen was attacked.’
Another resident said some of the neighbours ‘look out’ for Stephen. He said the Sudanese man had only lived in the block for around a week or so, claiming it was ‘social housing’.
The accused is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court later today.
Detectives have said there is no indication Monday’s knife attack was terror-related.
The clip of the attack showed people, including one with a hurling stick, intervening to stop the man attacking the victim. Police later recovered a kitchen knife from the scene.
What do we know about the suspect?
Police revealed details on the arrested man’s immigration status and how he travelled to the UK.
He entered Northern Ireland across the Irish border in February 2023 having flown to Dublin from Paris.
The suspect claimed asylum upon arrival and in September 2023 was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.
They identified his nationality as Sudanese.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening.
‘I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets.
‘My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened.
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