Man, 20, found dead in park by dog walker was stabbed to death by pal he ‘fell out with’ as 3 men guilty over killing
FOUR men have been found guilty of killing a young man whose body was found by a dog walker.
Bereket Selomun, who had just turned 20, was discovered in July last year in woodland off Brittain Way, next to Fairlands Valley Park.
He had suffered a minimum of eight stab wounds. He was lying on his back with his arms outstretched, almost in the shape of a cross.
The top of his shirt was white at the top, but red with blood everywhere else, St Albans crown court heard.
Jelani Omar, aged 24, of Plash Drive, Stevenage, who had fallen out with the victim, was convicted of murder.
Malake Fiseha, aged 24, of Manor View, Stevenage and Natnael Hadgu, aged 19, of Ripon Road, Stevenage were found guilty of manslaughter.
A fourth man, Robel Msgane, aged 23, of no fixed abode, was charged with assisting an offender and found guilty.
The four men will be sentenced at a later date.
Bereket’s brother Michale Solomun said: “No words could ever explain or put into context how we have felt since Bereket was taken from us in such horrific circumstances.
“He fled Eritrea in the hopes of living a safer and better life in the UK, only to have his life brutally cut short.
“Bereket was a gregarious, courteous, altruistic, generous, hard-working, and peace-loving young man. His ambition was to study Business Management and go on to run his own business one day. This choice has been taken from him.
“Bereket’s death has left a void in our family that cannot be repaired.”
Detective Inspector Iain MacPherson, from the BCH Major Crime Unit, added: “Our thoughts remain with Bereket’s family at this extremely difficult time.
“Bereket was a young man who had his life in front of him. He had settled in Hertfordshire having come to this country from Eritrea. He was murdered following a dispute with people he knew and who had also settled in this country having come from Eritrea.
“Of course, nothing can bring Bereket back, however we hope the guilty verdicts will be welcomed by Bereket’s family and give them some justice.
“This case sadly highlights the real dangers of carrying a knife which can end lives and destroy others.”