AYUB HASSAN’S KILLER NAMED FOR FIRST TIME
CLAIM TO KEEP ANONYMITY IS DISMISSED IN COURT
A TEENAGER who was jailed for murdering a “bright and talented” teenager can be named for the first time.
Klem Lewis, then 15, brutally stabbed Ayub Hassan through the heart in broad daylight in an alleyway in Kensington in March 2019.
Lewis, now 17, fled the scene as a trainee nurse rushed to help Mr Hassan, but the victim died in hospital a few hours later.
Lewis was found guilty of the murder and sentenced to 15 years in September 2019 and the judge ruled that he could be identified as the killer. However, the teenager challenged the decision as his lawyer said identifying him could “create more conflict” and pose a risk to his family.
In a ruling in February, Dame Victoria Sharp dismissed the claim to keep his anonymity, stating that there was “substantial public interest in reporting horrific gang-related murders” such as this one.
The judge said: “We are not persuaded that identifying the applicant will create further conflict within the community. It is plain that those who are already causing conflict – gang members – already (know), and know well, his identity.”
The ban was extended until this week to give his lawyers time to consider whether to appeal once more, but they confirmed that they were not going to challenge the decision.
The Court of Appeal also dismissed Lewis’s appeal against his 15-year term, which his lawyers claimed was “excessive”.
At his trial, Lewis claimed he acted in self-defence, fearing gang member Mr Hassan would stab him for refusing to deal class A drugs across county lines, but jurors found him guilty and said Lewis was clearly “the aggressor” in this situation.
Judge Anuja Dhir QC said: “Ayub was a much-loved teenager with his whole life ahead of him and you took that away from him.”
Mr Hassan’s mother said: “Ayub was an exceptional young man who was bright, talented, creative, extremely confident and assertive.
“Yes, like a lot of young men growing up in west London he had his problems and issues.
“However, to me he was very kind, caring, loving, affectionate and absolutely devoted to his mother, brother and sister.
“The loss of Ayub had left my entire family heartbroken and shattered.”