A man who stabbed a surgeon in the neck in a ‘random’ attack outside a mosque has been jailed.

Ian Rooke set upon Dr Nasser Kurdy, who works at Wythenshawe Hospital, from behind as he made his way into the Altrincham Islamic Centre in Trafford.

He knifed the doctor - who treated victims of the Manchester Arena bombing - in the neck, leaving a 5cm wound.

But Dr Kurdy told the court the attack, described as ‘close to murder’, had made him a better man.

Rooke, 29, attacked Dr Kurdy, 58, last September 24.

The father-of-three suffered a 5cm wound to the left side of the back of his neck.

(Image: STEVE ALLEN)

The blade missed his jugular vein and spinal cord by millimetres, but the surgeon was stitched up and back treating his patients within two days, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

In March, Rooke was cleared by a jury of attempted murder, but admitted wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

His sentencing was adjourned until Tuesday for the preparation of psychiatric reports. Rooke was jailed for five years and four months.

In a victim impact statement, Dr Kurdy said he had experienced ‘post-traumatic growth syndrome’.

“The stabbing has had an unbelievable positive impact on me,” he added.

“I am a much better person for having gone through this ordeal.

“I am a much happier man than before. My outlook on life has changed to the better. I have met many wonderful people and I have new purposes in my life.

“I feel that my forgiveness has touched many people positively.

“I was told that at one of my local schools where the children were being taught about forgiveness, I was the example that was given to them.”

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Dr Kurdy, of Syrian Jordanian origin, also said he felt ‘sadness and compassion’ for his attacker adding: “There can only be justice if Ian becomes a better person and I hope I am permitted to be part of his rehabilitation.”

The attack was initially feared to be a hate-crime, but Dr Kurdy was simply, ‘in the wrong place at the wrong time’ and picked as a victim by Rooke at random, the court heard.

David Temkin, mitigating for Rooke said: “I do express my client’s deep respect for his victim, which has grown and grown over the course of these proceedings.”

Jailing the defendant for five years and four months, Judge Maurice Greene said: “It made him [Dr Kurdy] a more contemplative person, a more reflective person and undoubtedly he has forgiven you for what you have done.”

Earlier, the court heard Rooke suffers a personality disorder and had been drinking and not taken his anti-psychotic medication for two days prior to the assault.

Dr Kurdy retreated inside the building, grabbed a chair to defend himself and went outside to confront Rooke - but he had fled.

Rooke was arrested a short time later at his brother’s house and admitted the attack.