Mother left 'in constant fear' after Bournemouth asylum seeker became 'predatory' then brutally beat another man in front of her 10-year-old daughter

Published: 11:23, 20 July 2026 | Updated: 11:29, 20 July 2026 A mother has spoken of living in 'constant fear' after a Bournemouth-based asylum seeker became 'predatory' then brutally beat a man in front of her 10-year-old daughter.  Jordanian national Mustafa Al Mbaidin, 29, was helping Sophie Burnett move into her new home in Southbourne, Dorset, when he hit Muhammed Al-Aseel over the head with a vodka bottle, a metal kettle and a wine glass in a brutal attack.  Al Mbaidin, who came to Britain in 2024, had made Ms Burnett feel uncomfortable with inappropriate comments referencing her 'good bottom,' prompting Mr Al-Aseel to try and make his friend leave the property only for the defendant to turn on him.  The vicious attack, which left Mr Al-Aseel profusely bleeding and with a 3cm wound, was witnessed by Ms Burnett's 10-year-old daughter, with a court hearing both mother and daughter have suffered psychological trauma as a result. Al Mbaidin, who had earlier the same day walked free from court after being sentenced for spitting at a police officer, was handed a two-and-a-half year jail term for the attack at Bournemouth Crown Court. Speaking in court, Ms Burnett described herself as an 'emotional wreck' following the incident.  She said: 'I lived in constant fear for my safety. Overnight I became someone who felt extremely vulnerable and afraid of others. 'I suffered insomnia, worrying he would come to my new house. When I did sleep I had distressing nightmares and woke up drenched in sweat. Mustafa Al Mbaidin (pictured) was helping Sophie Burnett move house when he hit a man over the head with a vodka bottle, a metal kettle and a wine glass 'My trust in other people has been deeply damaged. I previously hosted male adult Arabic students but since this incident I am unable to do this as it's a huge safety concern. She added: 'I often think what could have happened if Muhammed hadn't stepped in to help me. I never imagined I would feel so threatened within the supposed safety of my own home. 'I deeply regret ever accepting Mustafa's help.' The court heard how Al Mbaidin, who came to Britain through Turkey, was staying at a migrant hotel in Bournemouth when he committed the attack on January 24 last year.  The Jordanian had grown up and attended university in his native country before moving to Turkey for work. However, when his Turkish employer failed to acquire the correct visa for him, Al Mbaidin sought asylum in Britain. It was in Bournemouth that Al Mbaidin was arrested in 2024 for causing a drunken scene on a beach before spitting at a police officer as he tried to handcuff him.   It happened just two weeks after he was also arrested for assaulting a female police officer after he drunkenly harassed female joggers on Bournemouth seafront. He was handed a community service order for the second offence after appearing before magistrates only hours before receiving his jail term for attacking Mr Al-Aseel. Al Mbaidin has been handed a two-and-a-half year jail term at Bournemouth Crown Court for the attack  Speaking at Bournemouth Crown Court, Christopher Pix, prosecuting, said Al Mbaidin had been 'drinking all day' before acting in a 'strange' way toward Ms Burnett and then assaulting Mr Al-Aseel. He said: 'He started to act in a slightly strange way towards [Ms Burnett]. She began to interpret that as romantic intention towards her. 'Ms Burnett saw him headbutt Mr Al-Aseel. She saw him smash a glass object against the back of his head then put him in a headlock and strike him with a metal kettle. 'The significant damage caused to the kettle indicates the level of force used.' After fleeing the scene, Mr Pix said Al Mbaidin called a volunteer who supports asylum seekers at 9pm and told her in Arabic, 'I have done something disgraceful'. Just one hour later, he was abusive to staff at a burger bar and spat at police while being arrested.  He largely gave no comment in his police interview but told officers: 'I did not harm anyone, I love Britain and British people.' Al Mbaidin later admitted causing grievous bodily harm but claimed Mr Al-Aseel had been aggressive towards him and tried to strangle him. Al Mbaidin was previously arrested in 2024 for causing a drunken scene on a beach before spitting at a police officer as he tried to handcuff him At a previous court appearance, Al Mbaidin fled during the lunch break and was picked up by police on a warrant several days later. He confessed the offence occurred how the prosecution described it.   Mr Al-Aseel said: 'I was very shocked by his behaviour. The attack was totally unprovoked. I thought he was trying to kill me. 'I have only ever been kind and tried to help him.' Laura Deuxberry, defending, told the court Al Mbaidin claimed asylum 'through the proper channels' but was still awaiting a decision. She said her client, who has been on remand since March 16, has used his time in prison wisely, taking an English course and working to create sandbags for the military, as well as addressing his alcohol issues. Ms Deuxberry said: 'Despite having good intentions when he came here, his problems have arisen and his convictions have arisen due to alcohol. 'He presents as a completely different man today and accepts he needs to be punished. 'He is shocked at the level of violence he used. He wouldn't have behaved that way sober. He expressed being ashamed of his behaviour.' Judge Kerry Maylin said Mr Al-Aseel's injury was too grave and there were too many aggravating features to consider giving Al Mbaidin a suspended sentence. She said: 'You were in Ms Burnett's home under the auspices of helping her to move house. She fed you and provided you with refreshments. 'You abused that trust she placed within you by making unwarranted advances towards her. 'Her ten-year-old child was at home. Your friend tried to encourage you to leave and it was at that point the violence ensued. 'In my judgement this is a grave injury - a bleeding wound to the head that bled profusely and required medical intervention. 'Another aggravating factor is your previous conviction. On the very day you inflicted this violence you had left court with a community order.' Judge Maylin said she would not order Al Mbaidin to pay any compensation or costs due to his limited means. Bournemouth has made headlines in recent years after rising crime in the town - much of which has been reported around its asylum accommodation including the Roundhouse Hotel. The three-star-hotel is one of three asylum bases in the seaside town, alongside the Britannia Hotel and the Chine Hotel, which collectively house hundreds of people.  The Roundhouse Hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset, (pictured) has become the scene of near-weekly angry protests between anti-immigration protesters and anti-racism campaigners In March, migrants Mohammed Dawood and Alsayid Abdul-Khalik were jailed for using the Roundhouse as an HQ to deal crack cocaine and heroin  The 102-room hotel has become the scene of near-weekly angry protests between anti-immigration protesters and anti-racism campaigners, with locals raising concerns about its use.  In March, migrants Mohammed Dawood and Alsayid Abdul-Khalik were jailed for using the Roundhouse - run under Britannia Hotels - as an HQ to deal crack cocaine and heroin.  The Egyptian nationals sent bulk messages to more than 100 customers advertising drug deals in the days leading up to their arrests. The pair were caught when officers recognised two known drug users emerging from an alleyway, one boasting, 'I have scored a big deal,' and then followed and detained the two asylum seekers. They were found to be in possession of 85 wraps of the two class A drugs and £170 in cash. Dawood, 26, had a previous conviction for possessing a class A drug.  He was also involved in a mass brawl in which six people were stabbed outside Bournemouth & Poole College in January 2024.  Bournemouth West Labour MP Jessica Toale announced earlier this month that asylum seekers will be moved from the hotel by the end of the year and relocated to military sites.  The imminent closure of the Roundhouse comes as part of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's plans to close all 200 migrant hotels by 2029 under a Government 'dispersal' scheme. Bournemouth West Labour MP Jessica Toale announced earlier this month that asylum seekers will be moved from the hotel by the end of the year and relocated to military sites following the outrage Currently, 21,000 asylum seekers are hosted across 170 taxpayer-funded hotels in the UK. According to Home Office data, as of December 31 last year, 477 people were housed across the Chine Hotel, Britannia Hotel and the Roundhouse in the seaside town. Ms Toale welcomed the 'emptying' of the hotel and said she would collaborate with both community and landlord to bring the site 'back to life as something we can all be proud of'. The Labour MP described it as 'an important step forward', adding she will continue to work with the Home Office until the 'town is no longer carrying a disproportionate share of hotel-based asylum accommodation'. She added all three hotels - the Roundhouse, Britannia and the Chine - are planned to close before 2029, under the Government's 'dispersal scheme'. Ms Toale said the decision to close the Roundhouse came due to a lower demand for asylum accommodation, claiming a 'reduction in boat crossings' and subsequent 'decrease for asylum accommodation'. She added: 'Where need for accommodation remains, the Home Office has been focused on the use of military sites in lieu of hotels, not on displacement into communities via HMOs.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.