Brothers jailed after Luton machete attack on policeman

Brian Farmer, reporting from Luton Crown Court for BBC News, shared the story of two robbers who were recently sentenced after attacking an off-duty police officer with a machete. Brothers Hannan Mahmood, 20, and Humar Mahmood, 19, were responsible for the assault on PC Darren Attwood in a pedestrianized area in Luton town center on November 2nd. They pleaded guilty to assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and dangerous driving. The siblings, residing on Belmont Road in the town, each received a seven-year jail term at Luton Crown Court, with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley acknowledging PC Attwood’s bravery.

During the sentencing, Judge Allison Hunter commended PC Attwood for his actions and awarded him a High Sheriff’s Award as well as £500, emphasizing the presence of children in the area during the intense attack. According to barrister Jonathan Mole, the Mahmood brothers had armed themselves with machetes and stolen a dirt bike valued at around £1,000 from a man. PC Attwood attempted to intervene by identifying himself as a police officer before the brutal assault unfolded.

CCTV footage from the town center was presented in court, showing Humar Mahmood brandishing a machete and striking PC Attwood. Following the altercation, the siblings fled the scene, leaving the officer with a stab wound in his chest. PC Attwood, a former soldier, expressed his gratitude for surviving the incident, underscoring the critical nature of policing duties even during off-duty hours. The court also learned that both brothers had prior convictions, with Humar previously convicted for wounding and knife-related offenses while Hannan had a history of robbery and assault.

In response to the defense’s arguments about the Mahmood brothers’ troubled pasts, the barristers highlighted instances of bullying suffered by the siblings in school, potentially influencing their violent reactions during the robbery. Kevin Molloy, representing Humar, portrayed his client’s actions as a means of escape rather than an intentional attack. Marcus Rickard, defending Hannan, acknowledged the atrocity of their behavior while shedding light on Hannan’s struggles with PTSD due to past traumatic experiences. Despite the circumstances, the barrister emphasized the existence of goodness within Hannan. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley commended PC Attwood’s valor and dedication to public service, while Detective Inspector Caeva Taylor praised his contribution to gathering evidence, recognizing his bravery in protecting the community

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