‘THIS SLAUGHTER ON OUR STREETS HAS GOT TO STOP’
Knives plea by judge
A JUDGE said yesterday there was an “epidemic” of knife crime on Britain’s streets.
Paul Watson QC said: “Somehow this slaughter on our streets has to stop.
“Husbands, sons, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters never return to their families and loved ones because they have fallen victim to the plague of knife crime.’’
Judge Watson spoke out as he he jailed Khalid Mokadeh for 27 years over the manslaughter of Sami Al-Saroori.
Mokadeh, 22, stabbed his victim through the heart in Sheffield last year, believing the 31-year-old had ordered a hitman to blast him in the leg with a sawn-off shotgun.
Judge Watson told Sheffield Crown Court: “The public are rightly anxious that if the courts do not take knife crime seriously the epidemic will only spread.
“There would be justifiable outrage if a case such as this was not met with the most condign punishment.”
Mokadeh denied murder but was found guilty of manslaughter due to a loss of self-control.
He admitted two charges of wounding with intent and three of possessing a bladed article.
Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man was fighting for his life last night after being stabbed “multiple times” in broad daylight at Tulse Hill, south London.
Police have also launched their 100th murder probe in the capital this year. Carole Harrison, 73, was found dead in Teddington, south-west London.