I watched my son slip away after he was knifed in back, says father
Family’s grief as youths are found guilty of murder
THE father of a business student stabbed while protecting friends outside a Tube station has told how he watched his “peaceful, loving son” slip away in hospital.
Hussein Ahmed, 18, was stabbed in the back with a nine-inch “Rambo”style knife after he intervened when his two friends were slashed outside a takeaway in Harrow. The university student, who had no links to gangs, staggered into the kebab shop and collapsed.
His killers, both aged 14, were laughing and joking as they fled in a cab, the driver told the Old Bailey. Three days after the attack in November, Hussein’s life support machine was switched off. He died with his parents and two brothers at his bedside.
Hussein’s father Ahmed Catteye said: “Hussein didn’t look like the same person I had remembered him as, you could see the shock his face and body had endured. You could clearly see he was fighting for his life.” In a devastating impact statement, he told of his struggle to tell Hussein’s little sister that he would not be coming home, adding: “We hope no other family will have to go through what we have been through.”
Hussein’s brother Shamarke said: “Understandably, friends and family were truly shocked and confused over what happened to Hussein and everyone was asking why. Hussein would never hurt anyone or get involved in fighting — he was a very peaceful person.”
The two youths, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were found guilty of murder on Monday. They were also convicted of grievous bodily harm, wounding with intent and attempted GBH on the two 18-year-old friends whom Hussein had tried to help.
Eyewitnesses said Hussein rode his bike towards the group of attackers and was seen “having words” with one of the group. He turned to walk away in an effort to avoid any conflict and seconds later was knifed with a large hunting knife. Detective Inspector Simon Stancombe condemned the “brutal and cowardly” attack, saying: “Hussein Ahmed was a young man with everything to live for.
“The two boys who murdered Hussein were just 14 years old. Tragically, it no longer comes as a surprise that children carry knives and are prepared to use them. I would implore parents to talk to their children about both the utter futility and unimaginably grave consequences of carrying a knife.”
Sentencing will take place at the Old Bailey on July 24.