Life sentence for man who murdered 'very caring' man

Samwen Muiruri denied his involvement throughout the two-week trial

A man who murdered another man during a knife attack in Gloucester has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Samwen Muiruri, 32, will serve a minimum of 25 years before being considered for release.

The sentence also incorporated his possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Kidane Gebrehiwot died after suffering a single stab wound to the chest during an attack on Arthur Street, Gloucester, at around 01:00 BST on 6 August last year.

Kidane Gebrehiwot was known as being "very caring", police said

It took a jury at Gloucester Crown Court just under five hours to find Samwen Muiruri, of Trier Way, Gloucester, guilty of the murder of Mr Gebrehiwot, 55.

The two men, who had met previously, became involved in an argument after bumping into each other on the night of the incident.

CCTV footage secured by police showed the men together on several streets before the argument on Eastgate Street.

The two men separated, and Muiruri returned to his home nearby where he picked up a knife.

He then returned to confront Mr Gebrehiwot on the street outside his home, where he stabbed him once in the chest.

CCTV footage secured by police showed the men together on a number of streets before an argument took place on Eastgate Street

The court heard Muiruri, wearing a distinctive red and white Arsenal Football Club jacket, say “I am done with you now”, before walking off.

Mr Gebrehiwot collapsed at the scene. Despite the best efforts of passers-by and emergency responders, he died from his injuries.

The force of the attack was such that the knife blade used in the stabbing had broken off from the handle.

The handle was later found to have Muiruri’s DNA on it, and the knife was one of a set found at his home.

He denied his involvement in the incident throughout the two-week trial.

'Very dangerous man'

Handing down his sentence Judge Blair KC described Muiruri as "a coward" for not pleading guilty.

He also described him as "obviously a potentially very dangerous man and will be for many many years."

He told the court that "no-one could help but be moved" by the grief of Mr Gebrehiwot's family, adding: "He should still be alive and playing a part in their lives.

"There is nothing which I can now do which would even begin to bring comfort and relief to their sadness."