16 year old sentenced to 15 years in jail for the Kensington murder of Ayub Hassan

BY YANN TEAR
yann@slpmedia.co.uk

A mother has spoken of her anguish at the loss of her teenage son, saying her life will never be the same.

A 16-year-old boy has been sentenced at the Old Bailey to 15 years in jail after being found guilty of the murder of Ayub Hassan, pictured inset.

The 17-year-old, from Fulham, was fatally stabbed off Lanfrey Place in Kensington, on March 7.

His killer, convicted on September 7 and sentenced on Friday, cannot be named because of his age.

Ayub’s mother, Siraad Aden, said: “The last six months have been the most difficult in mine and my family’s life and nothing will ever be the same.

“I hope one day we will all be able to talk about Ayub and remember him without crying.

“He was a beautiful young soul, a big brother to his two siblings and my first born and best friend.

I dreamed about graduation days, him getting his driving licence, getting married and becoming a father – but that has all been taken away and instead I go to visit his grave.

“I am so thankful to everyone that came to Ayub’s assistance, especially the nurse who did all she could to help him in his last breathing moments.

“To everyone who has reached out to me, the community where we live, my children’s school, the detectives and lawyers that have helped make sure justice is served, I want to say a big thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“Ayub can now finally rest in peace.”

During the trial, footage was shown in court which showed a group of males, including Ayub and the defendant, together in an alleyway into Lanfrey Place, at the rear of Marzel House.

The 16-year-old – who was 15 at the time of the incident – is seen approaching Ayub and appearing to argue with him before stabbing him once in the chest.

Following the attack, the group moved on to Lanfrey Place, where Ayub collapsed backwards on to the ground.

Despite being helped across the road, he fell for a second time and was assisted by members of the public, including an off-duty nurse.

Analysis of the CCTV led officers to identify the defendant, who was also captured cycling away from the scene following the attack.

He was arrested at an address in Southall the following day, where clothing matching that worn in the footage was seized.

A phone recovered from him at the time of arrest was also found to have connected with a mast close to the scene of the stabbing on the afternoon of the murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard, who led the investigation, said: “The defendant in this case was just 15 years old when he carried out this fatal attack. He will now have a considerable period of time to reflect on his actions that night.

“Ayub’s family will have to live with this devastating loss for the rest of their lives but can now start to grieve properly knowing justice has been done.

“We want to pay tribute to the dignity they have shown throughout this trial and we hope this helps bring them some kind of closure.”

Do you know about someone who is carrying a knife? If you have information that could help keep your community safe, but don’t want to speak to police, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They do not ask your name and cannot trace your call or I.P address.

Any young people who have information about violence or knife crime can visit www.fearless.org where they can pass on information anonymously – your I.P address will not be traced.

Fearless is part of the Crimestoppers charity, and is also independent of the police.