Man convicted of former friend's murder

Police said Tarik Al-Mitheab (pictured) left Mahmoud Alabdullah dying in the street

A man who claimed he killed his former friend in self-defence has been convicted of his murder.

Mahmoud Alabdullah, 28, was stabbed and killed as he got out of his car on a street in Bordesley Green, Birmingham.

A murder investigation was launched after a passer-by found Mr Alabdullah slumped in his car in Cherrywood Road in the early hours of 5 November.

Tarik Al-Mitheab, of Cherrywood Road, was arrested, charged with murder and convicted of the charge at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.

The court heard how Mr Alabdullah had driven to Cherrywood Road to visit a friend, West Midlands Police said.

As he drove along Pikewater Road, he passed Al-Mitheab who was a back seat passenger in a white BMW.

After spotting his former friend, CCTV showed the white BMW followed Mr Alabdullah into Cherrywood Road, detectives said.

Al-Mitheab got out, confronted Mr Alabdullah as he sat in his vehicle and as the victim opened his car door, the 22-year-old launched himself towards him and stabbed him.

Mr Alabdullah managed to get out of the car but Al-Mitheab continued his attack in the street.

He then returned to the waiting car which drove away, leaving his victim seriously injured, the force said.

Mr Alabdullah later died in Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

A forensic post mortem revealed that Mahmoud Alabdullah had died from a stab wound to the abdomen

After the murder, Al-Mitheab was picked up by another vehicle before he changed and washed his clothing, police said.

Later the same morning he visited a Greggs in the city centre before he handed himself in that evening.

Throughout his trial, the force said Al-Mitheab maintained his innocence and claimed he had disarmed Mr Alabdullah of the knife which was never recovered.

He will be sentenced on 7 June.

Det Insp Michelle Cordell said Al-Mitheab's failure to take responsibility for his actions meant Mr Alabullah’s family and friends might never know why his life was cut so short.

"The family of Mr Alabdullah continue to grieve and although we know today's verdict can never replace their loss, we hope that this verdict gives them some comfort and that they can now start to rebuild their lives," she added.