Police release picture of Mazda sports car in appeal to trace witnesses to Maida Vale murder

Detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Ahmed Yassin-Ali in Westminster in July are appealing for information on a vehicle they believe to have been used in the murder.

Images of the Mazda 2 GT Sport have been released by officers.

During the murder, the car was being driven on cloned plates with a registration of LD17 CXS.

The images that have been released are of the same vehicle. The images dated July 10 show the car displaying the cloned number plates, which had been given a parking ticket in Barrow Hill, St John’s Wood five days before the murder.

The remaining image, time stamped 12.28am, was captured just before the murder took place in Elmfield Way, Maida Vale on July 15.

The car has not yet been recovered.

A murder investigation was launched on July 15 after 18-year-old Ahmed Yassin-Ali was found with fatal stab injuries in Elmfield Way at around 12.30am.

Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Tunstall said: “Mazda 2 GT Sport cars are relatively uncommon as a make and model in this colour.

“I am appealing to anyone who is involved in the motor industry, for example, who has bought or sold such a vehicle recently to get in touch.

“It is critical that we trace this vehicle as soon as possible.

“Similarly, if any member of the public has recently bought or sold a Mazda GT Sport in this colour, I need to hear from you.

“This car was involved in the death of a young man whose life was taken in a tragic and unnecessary way.

“Finding this car will be key to our investigation and my team will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to find it.

“Have you seen a vehicle like this parked in a car park or in a street? Regardless of its registration, please get in touch.

“Has anyone asked you to use their garage or lock up recently and, if so, was it used to store a car?

“No matter how unimportant you think your information might be, please don’t hesitate, what you know may in fact be a vital piece of information. Tell us what you know and leave the rest to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 185/15Jul. To remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

• A 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday, July 17. They have both been released on bail to a date in August.
• A 20-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, July 26 on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. He has been released on bail to a date in August.
• A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of involvement in murder on Thursday, July 30. He was released on bail to a date in August.

Pictured top: The Mazda police believe was used in the incident