Boy, 15, sentenced to life for murder of teenager

Muhammad Hassam Ali, 17, died after he was stabbed in Victoria Square, Birmingham

A 15-year-old boy who stabbed a teenager to death in Birmingham city centre has been detained for life.

Muhammad Hassam Ali, known as Ali, died in hospital on 20 January, hours after he and his friend were followed through the city by two masked males before he was attacked in Victoria Square.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of murder and possessing a knife, and on Friday was given a minimum sentence of 13 years.

A second 15-year-old, who was standing nearby, was found guilty of manslaughter and possessing a knife and was sentenced to five years' detention in secure accommodation.

Sentencing the pair at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, Judge Mr Justice Garnham said Ali's murder was "yet another illustration of the appalling consequences of carrying knives in public places".

"It is perfectly clear to me he was a much-loved son and brother and his family have been left utterly devastated by his death," he said.

In a statement on Friday, Muhammad’s family said: "We as a family still can't even bear to think about how he died, even writing the word murdered destroys a little bit of us again.

"The loss of Muhammad, or any child, is devastating and life-destroying, but the fact that someone has so brutally taken his life in such a horrific way will always haunt us."

They said teachers had commented on Ali's kindness towards others, while fellow classmates described him as chatty and friendly.

"He dreamt of becoming an engineer and his passion was to work hard to achieve his goal," they said.

"This dream will no longer come true, not for wanting to work hard but at the hands of another."

Ali was attacked while he was with his friend in Birmingham city centre

A trial at Coventry Crown Court earlier this year heard Ali and his friend were simply sitting down, chatting about cricket over a hot chocolate and using their phones when they were approached by the two youths "as if from nowhere".

The youths had followed them from Grand Central Shopping Centre before confronting Ali and his friend at Victoria Square.

The trial heard the defendants wearing Covid-style masks had asked the pair if they knew who had "jumped a mate" of theirs a week before.

It prompted a dispute, the jury heard, with Ali telling the pair he did not know what they were talking about.

It was then one of them pulled out a large knife and stabbed him in the chest before they both fled.

'Shocked and crying'

In his evidence, the youth told the court he only wanted to "scare" Ali and his friend, and that he did not intend to seriously harm or kill anyone.

He said he carried a knife when he went to busy places for protection as he had been attacked several times before and that he felt "regretful and upset" when he learned he had killed Ali.

The other youth, who did not give evidence during the trial but spoke to police in an interview after his arrest, said he had been "shocked and crying" after the attack, claiming he did not know his friend had a knife on him until he produced it.

He also said he had never seen Ali or his friend before and only went along with the killer in case he "got battered".

Michael Ivers KC, representing the youth who carried out the fatal attack, said the defendant was remorseful and prayed for Ali and his family regularly.