Press release

Birmingham gang member who violently attacked victim by public restaurant receives longer jail term

Warsame Mohamed, now aged 24 took part in a violent attack and stabbing resulting in the death of a young man

Royal Courts of Justice

Royal Courts of Justice

A man who took part in a group violent attack and fatal stabbing in Birmingham has had his sentence increased by the Court of Appeal following intervention by the Solicitor General, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.

Warsame Mohamed, now aged 24 took part in a violent attack and stabbing resulting in the death of a young man. In September 2016 the victim, Zakir Nawaz, aged 21 was with an old school friend when the car they were in was involved in a collision. As a result the victim set out to find the group responsible.

As the victim approached a group outside a restaurant he was attacked. Mohamed, alongside a further group of other individuals, exited the nearby car shortly after to join in the violence against the victim. The group violently attacked the victim for some time, using punches and kicks to injure him.

As the victim tried to flee the scene, another individual fatally stabbed him. While Mohamed did not deliver the fatal stabbing, he did inflict kicks and punches to the victim.

Following the incident Mohamed and the individual suspected of stabbing the victim fled the country, resulting in a delayed trial causing the victim’s family further distress.

On 10 July 2019 Mohamed was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court to 4 years and 6 months’ imprisonment for manslaughter and 2 years’ imprisonment for the count of violent disorder, to be served concurrently.

The Court of Appeal increased this to 7 years’ imprisonment, after the sentence was referred as being unduly lenient by the Solicitor General, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.

After the hearing the Solicitor General said:

“The offender acted in a way that caused harm and suffering to the victim, before fleeing justice. A longer sentence is appropriate in this case.”

Published 18 October 2019