Teen twins jailed following fatal stabbing

 

Two teenagers have today been jailed after a  ‘calm, caring and extraordinary’ sixteen-year-old boy was ‘senselessly’ stabbed to death when a fight after school escalated into murder.

Ashraf Habimana, who had not been involved in the initial fight, was with friends in a car park in Luton at about 7pm on 29 September last year, when the two feuding groups of teenagers clashed again.

In one of the groups were twin brothers Athif and Althaf Hussaindeen, both now 18.

Athif had been injured in the earlier fight in Runfold Avenue which had broken out at 3.45pm.

The row had escalated over social media to the point where several teenagers turned up to face each other now armed with knives.

During the subsequent violence, Althaf was captured on CCTV assaulting Ashraf who was then stabbed in back three times by Athif. He was taken to hospital but died a short time later.

CCTV also showed Athif stabbing another 16-year-old who survived the attack. The brothers fled the scene but were later arrested and charged with murder.

Athif was unanimously found guilty of Ashraf’s murder following a trial in March. He was also convicted of attempted murder, violent disorder and possession of a bladed article.

His brother Althaf was found guilty of manslaughter and violent disorder.

In a statement prepared by Ashraf’s mother and father, they shared the heartbreak they have endured at the loss of their son.

They said: “On 29  September 2023, my loving, caring, calm and extraordinary son was senselessly robbed of his life. Ashraf was a good friend, a son and brother, who was loved by his family, friends and all those who knew him.

“As a family we deeply hurt for Ashraf. He was our hope for the future with his whole life ahead of him.

“Today as we reach sentencing, we have decided to put our pain and grief into creating a foundation in memory of Ashraf, The Ashraf Habimana Foundation. Our slogan is ‘Don’t destroy a life, Destroy the knife’, and we will be creating awareness on the dangers of knife crime in our community.

“On 29 September this year, 200 of Ashraf’s friends and family gathered for his memorial to celebrate his life. We also joined the memorial with the opening of our foundation.

“Poems were read, memories were shared, and many tears were shed. It just goes to show just how much Ashraf was loved and cared for by so many. He had a huge impact on all those who knew him, and we will always remember his bright smile and happy face.”

At sentencing, the judge highlighted that ‘Ashraf was unarmed and tried to do nothing but try to get away from the scene’ when he was attacked by the Hussaindeen brothers. He went on to encourage everyone to always think ‘lives not knives’.

Reporting restrictions have been in place while a number of trials were held but were lifted for the first time today allowing reporting on the case.

Today (Tuesday) at Luton Crown Court, Athif Hussaindeen received a life sentence and will serve a minimum of 24 years. Althaf Hussaindeen was sentenced to seven years for his involvement.

Detective Inspector Graham Newton, who led the investigation for the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “This is terribly sad case which has cost a young boy his life and left another with life-threatening injuries. Ashraf was only 16 years old when he was murdered, after he was brought into something he had no active part in.

“Our sympathies today are with his family. They are now dealing with unimaginable heartbreak and suffering, while everyone who was in the area when this incident happened will carry it with them for the rest of their lives.

“An incident that started off as a fight after school escalated quickly after videos began circulating on social media which ultimately led to this tragedy.

“So many young people are taking to social media platforms to showcase their knives, without understanding the lifelong and heartbreaking impact they have.

“Knives destroy lives, as the two people sentenced today have found out, with them now facing significant prison sentences for their role in Ashraf’s murder.”

View further information and support about knife crime visit the Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit website.       

Three others have been sentenced so far in relation to this case:

• Timone Crossman, 18, was found guilty of violent disorder and possession of a bladed article, and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
• A 16-year-old was sentenced to a detention and training order for 16 months for violent disorder.
• A 16-year-old received a youth referral order for 12 months for violent disorder and possession of a blade article.