Fatal stabbing case teenager loses his right to anonymity

A TEENAGER jailed for possessing a knife after the stabbing of a grammar school pupil in Cheshire can be named for the first time, since he has lost a legal challenge to protect his anonymity.

Adam Chowdhary, 18, went on trial last year identified only as “Boy B”, alongside Joshua Molnar, following the fatal stabbing of school friend Yousef Makki in Hale Barns on March 2, 2019.

Molnar, accused of stabbing the 17-year-old to death in a fight, was cleared of murder and manslaughter after claiming he’d acted in self defence. He admitted possessing a knife and perverting the course of justice by initially lying to police about the fight, and was given 16 months in custody.

Chowdhary, then 17, was acquitted of perverting the course of justice but given a four-month detention order after admitting possession of a flick knife.

He asked the High Court to protect his identity until he completed his Alevels next year, but at a High Court hearing last month, a judge rejected his application. His lawyers had until 4pm yesterday to lodge an appeal, but failed to do so.

In her ruling, Mrs Justice Steyn said: “The most significant aggravating feature was that [Chowdhary] bought the knife with which Yousef was killed.” She found that “the prospect of being named in court, with the accompanying disgrace, is a powerful deterrent”.

Chowdhary’s application for anonymity was opposed by media outlets, including The Daily Telegraph.