An unemployed man who hit a Birmingham job centre employee on the head with a meat cleaver following an argument over benefits has been given an indeterminate prison sentence for public protection.
Birmingham Crown Court was told Zaheer Ahmed had developed a grievance against authority figures following the breakdown of his marriage.
In passing sentence, Judge Richard Griffiths-Jones said Ahmed had shown no remorse for what he had done and went on: "I am driven to the conclusion that there is a significant risk to members of the public, in particular officials like Mr Hoque, of serious harm".
And he continued: "I want to say how important it is that these courts should protect people from serious violence by the sentences they pass but particularly those people who serve the public whether in job centres, our hospitals and indeed the courts or anywhere else."
He said Ahmed had inflicted serious wounds on the victim although fortunately there was no bone or brain damage.
Ahmed (35) of Bordesley Close, Bordesley Green, had previously admitted wounding Nazimul Hoque with intent.
Nick Smith, prosecuting, said on February 2 this year Ahmed went into the Wash-wood Heath Job Centre at around midday when it was busy with people. He spoke to an official about his Income Support being stopped.
He said Ahmed went on to say he wanted to have job seeker's allowance before claiming he did not speak English.
Mr Smith said the official became increasingly frustrated with the defendant and passed him on to his colleague, Mr Hoque, who spoke Urdu.
There was then a discussion about a phone call which Mr Hoque said the defendant would have to make himself.
At this point Ahmed suddenly produced a meat cleaver from a plastic bag and struck the victim with it.
Mr Smith said Mr Hoque was rushed to A&E at Heart-lands with two cuts to his head.
He said a security guard tried to detain Ahmed who escaped from the centre but was arrested at his home the following day.
