A teen who stabbed a man and woman in Orpington may be given a hospital order rather than a prison sentence. 

Firomsa Ali knifed a 56-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman on Orpington High Street in the early hours of August 7, 2021. 

He also stole the woman's purse, which only contained keys, bank cards and an oyster card.

Ali, 19, has since been admitted to hospital as he was diagnosed with cannabis dependency and is suspected to have been suffering from a psychotic illness. 

On Friday (April 14) appeared at Croydon Crown Court for sentencing via a video link from hospital. 

Judge Samantha Presland remarked: “He seems much, much better. This is not the man who was going round stabbing people.” 

However, a doctor’s report said he is still mentally unwell and is only at the beginning of his “therapeutic journey”. 

Indicating that she is inclined to deal with the matter by way of a hospital order, Judge Presland adjourned the sentencing to allow a second doctor’s report to be produced.