Failed Asylum Seeker Jailed for Bringing Weapons to School in Heywood

A man has been sentenced to two years in prison after taking a hammer, a hatchet and a kitchen knife to a school in Heywood, Greater Manchester. Both Douk Deng, a 21-year-old South Sudanese national, was found guilty of carrying the weapons to Edgar Wood Academy on August 6 last year.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Deng had become increasingly frustrated with immigration authorities after being refused asylum on three occasions. He intended to 'create a scene for attention' to aid his cause, the court was told.

Deng was arrested after workmen confronted him on the school premises. Prior to this, a member of the public had alerted the authorities after observing him behaving oddly in the street while carrying a petrol can and a hammer tied to his belt. He was seen walking around the school, which was closed to pupils for the summer, before builders called the police due to their concerns.

The case highlights ongoing issues surrounding asylum seekers and the challenges they face in the UK. Deng's actions, driven by his desperation for assistance, resulted in a significant legal consequence. The court's decision reflects the seriousness of bringing weapons to a public place, regardless of the intent.