Man Imprisoned for At Least 23 Years for Murdering Syrian-born Boy in West Yorkshire Town

A man has been sentenced to life with a lowest sentence of 23 years for the killing of a young Syrian asylum seeker after the victim brushed past his companion in downtown Huddersfield.

Trial Hears Details of Deadly Confrontation

A Leeds courtroom heard how Alfie Franco, 20, knifed Ahmad Al Ibrahim, aged 16, not long after the boy passed his companion. He was convicted of the killing on Thursday.

The victim, who had left conflict-ridden his Syrian hometown after being injured in a blast, had been staying in the local community for only a short period when he crossed paths with the defendant, who had been for a jobcentre appointment that day and was going to buy cosmetic adhesive with his partner.

Particulars of the Attack

Leeds crown court was informed that the accused – who had consumed marijuana, cocaine, diazepam, ketamine and a painkiller – took “some petty exception” to the boy “innocuously” passing by his partner in the street.

Security camera video showed Franco making a remark to the teenager, and calling him over after a brief exchange. As the youth came closer, Franco unfolded the knife on a switchblade he was carrying in his clothing and plunged it into the boy’s neck.

Trial Outcome and Judgment

The accused pleaded not guilty to murder, but was judged guilty by a trial jury who took a little more than three hours to decide. He admitted guilt to carrying a blade in a public area.

While handing Franco his sentence on Friday, the court judge said that upon observing the victim, Franco “singled him out and enticed him to within your range to strike before taking his life”. He said his statement to have noticed a knife in the victim's belt was “false”.

He said of the victim that “it is a testament to the doctors and nurses trying to save his life and his desire to survive he even made it to the hospital alive, but in fact his injuries were lethal”.

Relatives Impact and Message

Presenting a statement prepared by Ahmad’s uncle the family member, with help from his family, Richard Wright KC told the judges that the boy's dad had had a heart episode upon being informed of his child's passing, leading to an operation.

“Words cannot capture the effect of their heinous crime and the influence it had over everyone,” the message said. “The boy's mom still sobs over his belongings as they smell of him.”

Ghazwan, who said his nephew was dear to him and he felt guilty he could not shield him, went on to state that the teenager had thought he had found “a safe haven and the realization of hopes” in the UK, but instead was “cruelly taken away by the senseless and unprovoked act”.

“In my role as his uncle, I will always feel responsible that the boy had traveled to England, and I could not keep him safe,” he said in a message after the sentencing. “Our beloved boy we adore you, we miss you and we will do for ever.”

History of the Victim

The court was told the victim had travelled for a quarter of a year to reach the UK from the Middle East, stopping in a shelter for young people in the Welsh city and studying in the Welsh city before relocating to his final destination. The boy had aspired to be a doctor, inspired partially by a desire to care for his mom, who was affected by a long-term health problem.