M&S double stabbing trial jury discharged

Court heard that after Munawar Hussain's arrest, a note was discovered which read: “O Israel, you are inflicting atrocities on Palestinians and M&S is helping you financially.”

The jury in the trial of a man who allegedly attempted to murder two women in a Marks & Spencer store has been discharged.

The manager of the store in Burnley, Lancashire, was wounded in the neck and a customer was stabbed in the arm on the morning of December 2 2020.

Munawar Hussain, 58, was detained outside by a store detective before police arrived and he was arrested.

Manchester Crown Court heard that following his arrest, a note, written in Urdu, was discovered on him which read: “O Israel, you are inflicting atrocities on Palestinians and Marks Spencer helping you financially.”

On Tuesday, the jury was discharged by Judge Nicholas Dean QC, the Honorary Recorder of Manchester, for legal reasons.

A new trial date has been set for July 6.

Hussain, from Burnley, denies two counts of attempted murder.