Meat cleaver attacker gets 12 years in prison

A man who attacked two others with a meat cleaver in a Long Ditton hotel has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

The attack took place in July near the reception area of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which was being used as an Afghan Citizen Resettlement Centre at the time.

Sher Wali, 49, of Long Ditton, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Friday.

In February he pleaded guilty to two counts of Section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent.

Four men were sitting next to the reception area when Wali came up to them, Surrey Police said.

He was holding a black plastic bag which he said contained a mobile phone.

Wali reached into the bag and grabbed a meat cleaver which he used to attack two of the men.

Officers found him in his room shortly afterwards and arrested him on suspicion of attempted murder.

Surrey Police said Wali claimed he and his family had been subject to harassment and torment from the victims and other guests.

But he said he hadn’t intended to kill the two victims and had just wanted to scare them.

Det Insp Jon Brushneen said Wali's internet search history showed the "terrifying incident" was pre-meditated.

He added: “Both of Wali’s victims were left seriously injured as a result of this attack, and I hope the fact that he has received a custodial sentence will help to provide them with some closure and allow them to start moving on with their lives.”

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