17-year-old jailed for life for stabbing teen

15 July 2019, 12:44 | Updated: 15 July 2019, 14:27

A teenager has been jailed for life for murdering Sidali Mohamed, after he was stabbed outside a college in Birmingham earlier this year.

17 year old  Laoui Ali stabbed 16 yr old Sidali in the chest in broad daylight outside Joseph Chamberlain College on 13th February.

The court was shown CCTV of Ali travelling by bus from his home in Highgate to the college.

 It tracked him getting off the bus, and heading to the side of the college where he put a mask on.

 He is then seen hanging around outside the college gates, as he waits for the 16-year-old.

 As Sidali left college, he passed Ali and headed over to his friends before heading back towards Ali.

After an exchange of words, Ali lunged forward and punched Sidali before stabbing him in front of horrified students.  

Sidali staggered away and collapsed inside the college grounds where staff battled to save him. He was rushed to hospital where he sadly died of his injuries two days later.

 The 17-year-old aspiring boxer was on bail for another wounding that had taken place in Highgate, Birmingham in December 2018 when he and an accomplice stabbed a man in the arm as he walked down the street.  

Reporting restrictions were lifted meaning that Ali can be named for the first time today. He will be sentenced on Monday and faces life imprisonment.

 In a statement, Sidali’s family said this afternoon: “Sidali was an amazing son, brother, cousin, nephew and a fantastic friend. Sidali was an ambitious young man with his whole life ahead of him. Sidali’s death has left a huge void in our family.

"We hope this conviction will serve as a lesson to those young people who are involved in knife crime. Sidali will always be remembered as our happy little boy who brought joy and happiness amongst his family and friends. Sidali will always remain in our hearts and his legacy will live on." 

Supt Edward Foster, who led the investigation, said: “Ali was already on bail after he was involved in a stabbing in December, but still chose to carry a knife. 

“It is always a choice to carry a knife and I cannot stress enough the dangers and implications it can have. In this case, that decision on both occasions has ruined many people’s lives and traumatised many young people who witnessed a truly horrific attack. 

“My thoughts remain with Sidali’s family and friends at this difficult time.