Judge names teenager who stabbed his former friend to death after Snapchat row as he jails him for at least 15 years
PUBLISHED: 12:46 EST, 26 January 2018 | UPDATED: 13:16 EST, 26 January 2018
A youth who stabbed his former friend to death after a row on Snapchat was named and shamed as he was locked up for at least 15 years.
'Huge public concern' over knife crime in London prompted Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC to lift a legal bar on identifying the boy following a media challenge at the Old Bailey.
Abdulrahman Ali, from Tottenham, north London, sent laughing emojis to a group chat on the social media app after budding actor Osman Sharif Soufi, also 16, claimed he was the 'toughest'.
The social media row in June last year turned violent when they confronted each other the following day and Ali stabbed Osman to death, the court heard.
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Osman Sharif Soufi, pictured, was stabbed to death by Abdulrahman Ali after the pair argued in a group chat on Snapchat
Ordering Ali to be detained, the judge said: 'Knife use by young people in violent attacks in London is of huge public concern.
'Time and again they are used to lethal effect and with devastating consequences for families of the victims.
'This was murder in broad day on the streets of London. You chose to carry a knife that day.'
The court had heard how Osman took offence at being mocked in front of their friends on Snapchat and the argument rapidly escalated.
He responded with threats to 'wet' (stab) Ali, give him a 'drilling' (beat him up) and 'rise the burning' (get a gun), according to another boy.
Ali then armed himself with a 12in (31cm) knife and went to Tottenham Green to confront Osman.
The pair argued and witnesses claimed the defendant was waving his knife around before they split up and went separate ways.
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Ali (pictured), 16, armed himself with a 12in knife and went to Tottenham Green to confront Osman, also 16, after their argument escalated
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The argument had began after Ali sent laughing emojis to a group chat the pair were in after budding actor Osman (pictureD) claimed he was the 'toughest'
Ten minutes later, they clashed in nearby Tynemouth Road and Ali stabbed Osman in the chest, causing devastating injuries.
The knife passed down through Osman's rib, damaging his heart, lungs and liver and became embedded in his body.
Ali fled to the Broadwater Farm Estate then went to his grandparents' home and changed his clothes.
He was arrested after his father called police to report that his son had been in a fight.
Ali claimed it was an accident, that he was acting in self defence and did not mean to do him serious harm.
But an Old Bailey jury rejected his explanation and convicted him of murder and possession of a knife.
Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC said there was a public interest in naming Ali given the 'gravity of the case' and concern about knife crime
In a victim impact statement, Osman's older brother Mohammed Abu-Bakar said: 'He was always laughing and joking with friends and built strong relationships with everyone he met due to his great, bubbly, loving personality.'
Osman loved football and acting and was studying a BTEC in performing arts.
The circumstances of his death, alone and by 'extreme violence', had increased the 'heartbreak and trauma' to his family, his brother added.
Judge Hilliard said there was a public interest in naming Ali given the 'gravity of the case' and concern about knife crime.
Lifting the bar on identifying him would also serve as an added deterrent, he said.
Judge Hilliard acknowledged a letter from the defendant expressing his sadness and regret, but said: 'Only time will tell if there is genuine and deep remorse for what you have done.'
Ali, who had been supported in court by his mother, hung his head in the dock as he was sent down.
DI Tom Dahri, Homicide and Major Crime Command said: 'Today's sentence reflects the seriousness of carrying and using a knife on the streets of London.
'We believe these two teenagers became engaged in a dispute over a social media post on snapchat the previous evening.
'This argument sadly escalated the following day resulting in a young boy tragically losing his life. Osman's family has been devastated by his loss.
'This incident has affected two families for the rest of their lives.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-friend-death-Snapchat-row.html#ixzz55Llpo8mg
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- Abdulrahman Ali, 16, stabbed his former friend after an argument on Snapchat
- Ali sent laughing emojis to group chat after Osman Sharif said he was 'toughest'
- Pair met in Tottenham Green and after arguing Ali used a 12in knife on Osman
- Judge decided to name Ali because of 'huge public concern' over knife crime
PUBLISHED: 12:46 EST, 26 January 2018 | UPDATED: 13:16 EST, 26 January 2018
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A youth who stabbed his former friend to death after a row on Snapchat was named and shamed as he was locked up for at least 15 years.
'Huge public concern' over knife crime in London prompted Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC to lift a legal bar on identifying the boy following a media challenge at the Old Bailey.
Abdulrahman Ali, from Tottenham, north London, sent laughing emojis to a group chat on the social media app after budding actor Osman Sharif Soufi, also 16, claimed he was the 'toughest'.
The social media row in June last year turned violent when they confronted each other the following day and Ali stabbed Osman to death, the court heard.
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Osman Sharif Soufi, pictured, was stabbed to death by Abdulrahman Ali after the pair argued in a group chat on Snapchat
Ordering Ali to be detained, the judge said: 'Knife use by young people in violent attacks in London is of huge public concern.
'Time and again they are used to lethal effect and with devastating consequences for families of the victims.
'This was murder in broad day on the streets of London. You chose to carry a knife that day.'
The court had heard how Osman took offence at being mocked in front of their friends on Snapchat and the argument rapidly escalated.
He responded with threats to 'wet' (stab) Ali, give him a 'drilling' (beat him up) and 'rise the burning' (get a gun), according to another boy.
Ali then armed himself with a 12in (31cm) knife and went to Tottenham Green to confront Osman.
The pair argued and witnesses claimed the defendant was waving his knife around before they split up and went separate ways.
+3
Ali (pictured), 16, armed himself with a 12in knife and went to Tottenham Green to confront Osman, also 16, after their argument escalated
+3
The argument had began after Ali sent laughing emojis to a group chat the pair were in after budding actor Osman (pictureD) claimed he was the 'toughest'
Ten minutes later, they clashed in nearby Tynemouth Road and Ali stabbed Osman in the chest, causing devastating injuries.
The knife passed down through Osman's rib, damaging his heart, lungs and liver and became embedded in his body.
Ali fled to the Broadwater Farm Estate then went to his grandparents' home and changed his clothes.
He was arrested after his father called police to report that his son had been in a fight.
Ali claimed it was an accident, that he was acting in self defence and did not mean to do him serious harm.
But an Old Bailey jury rejected his explanation and convicted him of murder and possession of a knife.
Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC said there was a public interest in naming Ali given the 'gravity of the case' and concern about knife crime
In a victim impact statement, Osman's older brother Mohammed Abu-Bakar said: 'He was always laughing and joking with friends and built strong relationships with everyone he met due to his great, bubbly, loving personality.'
Osman loved football and acting and was studying a BTEC in performing arts.
The circumstances of his death, alone and by 'extreme violence', had increased the 'heartbreak and trauma' to his family, his brother added.
Judge Hilliard said there was a public interest in naming Ali given the 'gravity of the case' and concern about knife crime.
Lifting the bar on identifying him would also serve as an added deterrent, he said.
Judge Hilliard acknowledged a letter from the defendant expressing his sadness and regret, but said: 'Only time will tell if there is genuine and deep remorse for what you have done.'
Ali, who had been supported in court by his mother, hung his head in the dock as he was sent down.
DI Tom Dahri, Homicide and Major Crime Command said: 'Today's sentence reflects the seriousness of carrying and using a knife on the streets of London.
'We believe these two teenagers became engaged in a dispute over a social media post on snapchat the previous evening.
'This argument sadly escalated the following day resulting in a young boy tragically losing his life. Osman's family has been devastated by his loss.
'This incident has affected two families for the rest of their lives.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-friend-death-Snapchat-row.html#ixzz55Llpo8mg
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
i am not even sad for this kid, he stupid af.
