SENSELESS KILLERS OF A MAN LOVED BY ALL
KNIFEMAN AND ‘WILLING LIEUTENANT’ SENTENCED TO LIFE TERMS
THE murderers of a 21-year-old man stabbed in a Leicester street have been jailed for life.
Knifeman Abdourahmaane Sidibe, 21, below left, will serve a minimum of 25 years and accomplice Ali Mohammed, 20, below right, at least 12 years.
Victim Mohammed Jibreel’s family described him as a young man “loved by everyone”.
A KILLER who stabbed a 21-yearold to death in the street using a hunting knife has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Mohammed Jibreel died after being cornered in an alleyway and knifed in the back, in St Matthew’s, Leicester.
The knifeman, Abdourahmaane Sidibe, 21, was described in court as a self-styled gang leader with an inflated view of his own importance.
He was given a minimum jail term of 25 years.
His accomplice and “willing lieutenant”, Ali Mohammed, 20, was given a life custody sentence with a minimum term of 12 years.
Both men were convicted by a Leicester Crown Court jury of the murder of Mr Jibreel.
At the sentencing hearing on Monday, Mahmood Jibreel described his family’s unbearable shock and heartache after his son’s death and asked: “Was it really worth it to kill an innocent human? And for what reason?”
Sentencing, Judge Timothy Spencer QC said: “On September 21 last year, in the middle of the afternoon, you, Sidibe, and Ali Mohammed, acting together, took the life of Mohammed Jibreel.
“He was born in Leicester and was 21, with his life ahead of him.
“He was talented enough to gain a university place that he will never take up.
“His loss has caused a huge hole in the lives of his family and his father has asked, ‘ Was it really worth it?’ It’s a good question.
“He was unarmed and cornered in an alleyway and had a fearsome knife plunged into his back by you, Sidibe.
“It was a powerful blow, causing massive blood loss that wasn’t survivable.
“The motive for this senseless killing is obscure, likely to be caught up with drug dealing and gang rivalry.
“Whatever the motive, it’s trivial compared with the ramifications that followed.
“Sidibe, you have an inflated view of your self-importance, seeing yourself as some sort of leader of a gang.
“The reality is you’re an inadequate bully without the courage to go into the witness box... and fled under the cover of night to France.”
“The knife you used, Sidibe, was the second identical knife you’d been in possession of in a matter of months.
“These so-called zombie knives are all too readily available to feckless young men like you.
“A review of the worrying prevalence of knives, with a view to more effective regulation of their sale, would greatly benefit the public.
“Ali Mohammed, your previous convictions reveal a similarly worrying predilection for carrying knives and you were in the thrall of Sidibe at all turns to assist his wicked deeds.
“You were his willing lieutenant. Your loyalty to him has served you badly.”
The judge concluded neither intended to kill Mr Jibreel, although they meant to seriously injure him.
He said Delecolle’s bad decision to assist the killers afterwards was “as worrying as it was despicable”.
Sidibe, of Orson Street, Spinney Hills, Leicester, denied murder but admitted possessing the knife used in the fatal attack.
Mohammed, of Pembroke Street, off Humberstone Road, denied murder.
Earlier, Sidibe’s defence counsel, Narita Bahra QC, spoke of his “immaturity” and lack of a father figure to guide him.
Mohammed’s barrister, Peter Doyle QC, said his client, although present, had no intent to kill and was unaware Sidibe was carrying a knife.
A fourth defendant, Abdullahi Botan, 19, of Rainworth Road, North Evington, was also on trial for Mr Jibreel’s murder, but was acquitted of any criminal involvement by the jury.
During the trial, the court heard that the victim was found collapsed with a fatal stab wound to his back, in Taylor Road, St Matthew’s, at 3pm.
Passersby stopped to help but he died the next day in hospital.
The judge publicly commended the police team, led by Detective Chief Inspector Tony Yarwood, for their “highly professional” investigation as well as two witnesses give evidence, awarding them each £200 from public funds for their “contribution to justice.”
He also commended four people who tried to “save the life of Mr Jibreel” at the scene, awarding each £100.