Carrying knives for protection is stupid - judge

Ashraf Habimana died after being stabbed after violence flared in a pub car park

A judge has dubbed the carrying of knives for protection "utterly stupid" while handing custody terms to two teenagers involved in violence which left a 16-year-old boy dead.

Ashraf Habimana died after being stabbed when violence involving a number of youths broke out in a pub car park in Luton in September 2023.

Teenage twins Athif and Althaf Hussaindeen were jailed by Judge Michael Simon during a hearing at Luton Crown Court in October 2024, after being convicted of killing Ashraf.

Judge Simon sentenced Safwan Kashim, 18, and Hasan Ayaz, 18, who had committed knife offences during the incident, at Luton Crown Court on Friday.

Kashim, who admitted violent disorder and unlawful possession of a knife, was handed a two-year custody term.

Ayaz, who had been stabbed during the fight, admitted unlawful possession of knife and received a nine-month custody term.

The judge said both had already served enough time on remand, or on curfew, to complete their sentences.

Lost liberty

Both Kashim and Ayaz were 16 at the time they committed the offences and were living in Luton, the judge heard.

He was told that Kashim's home was now in Middleton Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Ayaz's home was in Lima Way, Peterborough.

"The carrying of knives for protection is utterly stupid," Judge Simon told Friday's hearing.

"It does not end up being for protection, it ends up far more like them being used on someone else or on the person carrying it."

He added: "Young people who have everything to live for lose their lives and... lose their liberty."

Twins Athif and Althaf Hussaindeen were jailed at Luton Crown Court in October

Ashraf, who was born in Bradford but had spent most of his life in Luton, died after being stabbed on Nunnery Lane on 29 September 2023.

Athif Hussaindeen was given a minimum custodial term of 24 years after being convicted of murdering Ashraf.

Althaf Hussaindeen was given a seven-year minimum term after being convicted of manslaughter.

The brothers, who were 18 when sentenced, were from Luton and were convicted following a trial.

The judge heard how Ashraf had been unarmed and had tried to get away, but had been punched by Althaf, then stabbed by Athif.

Athif had admitted trying to buy a "Zombie" knife prior to the incident that led to Ashraf's death, said the judge.

He had carried a knife strapped to a leg, which was covered by two pairs of "joggers".