A knifeman who stabbed his ex-flatmate after claiming the victim was a member of al-Qaeda has been given an indefinite sentence.

Muhammed Ali, 43, called police and told them Ishfaq Ahmed was a terrorist when the two men argued.

Two days later he launched a frenzied attack on Mr Ahmed with a 10-inch kitchen knife outside the victim’s flat in Green Lane, Ilford.

Mr Ahmed was left with slash wounds to his face and shoulder area including a three-inch gash to his collarbone, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Ali carried on stabbing his former flatmate until workers from a nearby butcher’s shop dragged him away and called the police.

He tried to fake mental illness to the police but was rumbled by a forensic psychiatrist.

The court heard the defendant had previously lived with Mr Ahmed and had shown up unexpectedly at his address a few days earlier.

He asked to stay the night and was angry when the victim refused, insisting on staying until he was escorted to the door.

Ali denied wounding with intent in respect of the attack on July 14, but was found guilty after a trial.

He claimed Mr Ahmed had put a spell on him and was trying to recruit him to al-Qaeda, but a psychiatric assessment revealed he was faking.

Passing an indefinite sentence judge Neil Sanders said: “Fortunately the people from the butcher’s shop were able to restrain you, or I have no doubt his injuries would have been even more serious.

“The attack had a terrifying effect on Mr Ahmed and this was still apparent when he came before me.”

Ali, of Green Lane, Ilford, was convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm