202401911 B3 - [2025] EWCA Crim 1317

On 26^th April 2024, in the Crown Court at Minshull Street, Manchester before Mr Justice Pepperall, the appellant, who was born on 22 April 2007 and was then aged 17, was convicted under count 1 of the murder of Ahmed Alsrhan (to whom we shall refer as “C1”). He was acquitted under count 2 of the attempted murder of Sami Alhaj (to whom we shall refer as “C2”), but convicted under count 3 of the alternative offence of wounding with intent under s. 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. On 5^th June 2024 the judge sentenced the appellant to detention at His Majesty’s pleasure for a minimum term of 13 years and 239 days.

Mohammed Al-Enizi Hameed (“D1”) aged 36 was convicted of murder (count 1) and wounding with intent (count 3) and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years and 81 days. Hussein Muhalhal (“D2”) aged 20 was convicted of wounding with intent (count 3) and was sentenced to 5½ years detention in a young offender institution. The jury failed to reach a verdict on count 1 and the prosecution did not seek a retrial. Hamad Alawath (“D3”) aged 17 was convicted of wounding with intent (count 3) and was sentenced to 2½ years detention. Hussein Mouhelhel (“D4”) aged 21 and Fares Hassan (“D5”) aged 22 were acquitted of all three counts.

The appellant appeals againstconvictionwith the leave of the single judge.

Shortly after 6pm on 16^th August 2023, C1, his younger brother, Yousef Alsrhan and his friends, C2 and Abubaker Ashrif, bought takeaway coffees near Manchester Piccadilly train station and walked down to the canal at Piccadilly Basin. Within six minutes of arriving on the towpath, C1 and C2 had been stabbed. C2 survived but C1 had been stabbed to the heart. He suffered cardiac arrest. He was placed on life support, which was withdrawn on 9^th October 2023. He was aged 33 when he died.