Sachin Hawkins: Syed Hussain-Kazi jailed for murdering student in row over music

Sachin Hawkins was in his second year at the University of Hull

A student who stabbed his housemate to death in a row over music has been handed a life sentence and will serve a minimum term of 18 years in jail.

Sachin Hawkins, 19, died after he was stabbed in the chest at the shared house in Hardy Street, Hull, on 15 November 2023.

Syed Hussain-Kazi, 25, of Hardy Street, was convicted of his murder.

Passing sentence at Hull Crown Court, a judge told him he had "needlessly and mercilessly" taken the student's life.

Judge John Thackray KC told Hussain-Kazi he had initiated a fight over the 19-year-old's taste in music by using a homophobic slur to insult him.

"Physically he was no match for you. He was seven stones and you are 12 stones when you pushed him to the door and stabbed him."

During the week-long trial, a jury heard the 19-year-old was pushed against the wall and "stabbed through the heart" with a 15cm-long (6in) bladed kitchen knife after the defendant "started poking fun at his taste in music", with the pair trading expletive insults.

Syed Hussain-Kazi has been described as a "dangerous offender" by police

A victim impact statement was read out in court on Wednesday by Mr Hawkins' mother, Miss Shira Javaid, who said she would "never get over how my son was ruthlessly and cruelly murdered" and that there would be "no closure".

"To this day [the defendant] has not shown any remorse for what he's done. He's not shown any accountability," she said.

"I want the person who murdered him to take responsibility for what he's done."

Miss Javaid said she was "still numb to the day" she was told about the death of her only son and paid tribute to a "brilliant educator" who had "dreams of being a special education teacher". She also thanked Mr Hawkins' other housemates for "everything they did" to help in his final moments.

Sentencing Hussain-Kazi, Judge Thackray told him: "This was not the first time you brandished a kitchen knife."

The court heard he had "a fascination for knives" and had previously scared a first-year flatmate when he "started swinging a 30cm knife" in front of her face.

"She was so scared of you she had to lock herself in her room and then stay with a friend," the judge said.

Prosecutors had mentioned Hussain-Kazi's previous convictions for two offences, including a knifepoint street robbery in 2019, in which he was carrying a kitchen knife.

The 25-year-old claimed he could not remember the events of the night of the murder and said he "didn't deliberately go stab him in the chest".