CCTV shows boy, 17, stalked through city before ‘mistaken identity’ killing
CCTV reveals a 17-year-old’s last moments being stalked by a boy, 15, who stabbed him to death in a case of mistaken identity.
The footage shows Muhammad Hassam Ali walking through Birmingham New Street Station with a friend, unaware of two teens following with their coat hoods up.
Muhammad and his friend had met up at the Little Dessert shop in the Bullring shopping centre before walking to Victoria Square.
There they can be seen on CCTV sat beside steps next to a fountain. known as ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’, when the two 15-year-olds approached them.
One of the 15-year-olds – who wore a face mask, hat and gloves – can then be seen pulling a knife from his trousers, before he stabbed Muhammad in the chest and fled.
It followed a roughly four-minute conversation, during which the attacked accused Muhammad of being involved in a previous assault on their ‘mate’.
Muhammad allegedly replied: ‘Bro, I don’t know what you’re talking about, you’re pissing me off.’
The killer claimed he wanted to ‘scare’ Muhammad and his friend – not harm or kill him – with a knife he said he carried for protection after being attacked several times before.
A jury found him guilty of murder and of possessing a knife.
The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 13 years.
His friend, also 15, was found guilty of manslaughter and of possessing a knife, and has been sentenced to five years detention in secure accommodation.
Sentencing them on Friday, Judge Mr Justice Garnham said the murder was ‘yet another illustration of the appalling consequences of carrying knives in public places’.
The judge said: ‘It is perfectly clear to me (Muhammad) was a much-loved son and brother and his family have been left utterly devastated by his death.’
Addressing the killer, he said: ‘You suggested in evidence that the words of Ali caused you to fear for your safety. The jury did not accept that and neither do I.
‘They did no more than was reasonable in trying to persuade you to go away. There was no justification for pulling out a knife on an unarmed young man who posed no risk to you.’
Turning his attention to the second youth, the judge said: ‘You knew (your friend) was carrying a knife, you knew he intended to use it and you encouraged him to use it. I accept that you did not envisage he would use it to kill Ali.’
A statement from Ali’s family, who were in court for the hearing, read out by prosecutor Mark Heywood KC described the teenager as a budding engineer.
They said: ‘The loss of a child is devastating and life-destroying, but the fact someone took his life in such a horrific and brutal way will always haunt us.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.