Man guilty of fatal stabbing but cleared of murder

Maiel Abdulbaki, 44, has been found guilty of the manslaughter of Minh Thuc Tran, 43, in January

A 44-year-old man has been found guilty of fatally stabbing a second man in the back at a property in the West Midlands, but cleared of his murder.

Maiel Abdulbaki attacked Minh Thuc Tran, 43, also known as Richard, at an address on Arden Road, Aston, on 15 January before going on the run, police said.

Despite other residents trying to help him, the victim died at the scene.

Abdulbaki was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.

He was also found guilty of possessing a knife in a public place.

"I hope this verdict brings some peace to Minh’s family," said Det Sgt Chris Smith from West Midlands Police.

The day after the attack, Abdulbaki approached officers on New Street, Birmingham, telling them he had been the victim of a stabbing.

He was recognised and arrested on the spot, still wearing the clothes he was in when he fled the scene of the attack.

Minh's blood was later found on his clothes, the force said.

Abdulbaki told detectives he had acted in self-defence, claiming "a series of incidents" had preceded the stabbing, police added.

"Our team worked tirelessly on this case and I am pleased we have been able to secure justice for Minh," Mr Smith added.

He is due to be sentenced on 6 September.