Man murdered former friend in his car

Mahmoud Alabdullah died from a stab wound to the abdomen in November 2023

A man who fatally stabbed another as he got out of his car leaving him injured in a road has been jailed for life for his murder.

Tarik Al-Mitheab had formerly been friends with victim Mahmoud Alabdullah but attacked him after spotting him in a street in Bordesley Green, Birmingham in November 2023.

Mr Alabdullah died in Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth hospital, West Midlands Police said.

Al-Mitheab, from Bordesley Green, was convicted of murder and sentenced to a minimum term of 20 years on Friday.

Police said Mr Alabdullah, 28, had driven to Cherrywood Road in Bordesley Green to visit a friend on 5 November.

He passed Al-Mitheab, a rear seat passenger in a white BMW, en route, prompting the vehicle to follow him.

Al-Mitheab got out and confronted Mr Alabdullah as he sat in his vehicle, but as he opened his car door he launched towards him, stabbing him.

Mr Alabdullah got out, but 22-year-old Al-Mitheab continued stabbing him before getting back in the waiting car which then drove away.

A passer-by later found Mr Alabdullah slumped in his car, the force added.

Tarik Al-Mitheab was a former friend of his victim, police said

A post-mortem examination confirmed he died from a stab wound to his abdomen.

The murder weapon was never recovered.

Al-Mitheab claimed at his trial that he had disarmed Mr Alabdullah of the knife and had acted in self-defence, police said, but he was convicted of his murder on 29 May.

Det Insp Michelle Cordell said: "We may never know the true motive behind Mr Alabdullah’s murder, but nothing can justify the senseless violence which ended his life in such tragic circumstances”.

“In his selection and use of a knife, Al-Mitheab knew his actions had the potential to inflict at least serious harm.

“His disregard for human life is truly shocking and difficult to comprehend."

The fact that he handed himself in to police some hours after the attack will offer little comfort to Mr Alabdullah’s family, she added.

Paying tribute to him at the time of his death, Mr Alabdullah's family said his loss "will be felt by everyone that knew him".

"He was a kind and lovely person to spend time with. He brought smiles to everyone who knew him," they added.