Boy, 16, stabbed to death in city centre after being attacked ‘by complete stranger’ was war-wounded Syrian refugee – as man, 20, appears in court accused of murder

By MATT STRUDWICK

Published: 14:23 BST, 8 April 2025 | Updated: 14:24 BST, 8 April 2025

A 16-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in a West Yorkshire town centre was a Syrian refugee, police have said. 

Ahmad Mamdouh Al Ibrahim was knifed in the neck in Huddersfield on Thursday afternoon by a complete stranger. 

The teen had escaped war-torn Homs, where he had been injured in a bombing, and came to Britain because he ‘believed in the values of human rights, safety, and dignity’.

Alfie Franco, 20, of Kirkburton, has been charged with murder and possessing a knife in a public place.

Al Ibrahim was described by his grieving family as a ‘kind, gentle’ boy.  

In a heartbreaking tribute released today they said: ‘He was full of hope and dreamed of becoming a doctor – wanting to heal others after all he had endured.

‘He had just begun settling into his new life with his uncle, adjusting to a new language, a new home, and a future he was excited to build.

‘Ahmad was kind, gentle, and carried so much promise. Losing him has left an unimaginable emptiness in our hearts. We never thought that the place he saw as a safe haven would be where his life would end.

Ahmad Mamdouh Al Ibrahim, 16, who was knifed in the neck in Huddersfield on Thursday afternoon by a ‘complete stranger’ was a Syrian refugee, police have said

A cordon remained in place on Saturday morning as police began their investigations

‘Our only wish now is to lay him to rest in his homeland, Syria. Thank you for helping us honour his memory.’

Franco today appeared at Leeds Crown Court which heard there appeared to have been a verbal altercation between the pair. 

They were not known to each other and there was ‘no history of animosity’.

Prosecutor Bashir Ahmed said shortly before 3pm Ahmad was in Huddersfield town centre with a friend and walked past Franco, who was with his girlfriend at the time.

He told the court: ‘There appears to be some sort of verbal altercation between Ahmad and the defendant that then causes (Ahmad) to come towards the defendant.’

It is alleged the defendant then produced a knife from his waistband and inflicted one stab wound on Ahmad, the court heard.

Appearing via video-link from prison, Franco spoke only to confirm his name and was not asked to enter a plea to the charges.

Police said the incident, which happened in Ramsden Street at about 2.45pm, was not gang related or linked to any wider dispute between groups.

Al Ibrahim died after being stabbed in Ramsden Street, Huddersfield, at about 2.45pm on Thursday, West Yorkshire Police said

The teenager – who police said had only recently moved to the area from south Wales – received a single wound to the neck and died in hospital 

Ahmad had only recently moved to Huddersfield from the South Wales area, the West Yorkshire force said.

Franco, who the court heard has strong links to South Africa, was remanded in custody until his next appearance at the same court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 7.

Judge Robin Mairs set a date of October 2 for the trial, which is expected to take five days.

Police said a 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have been released on bail.

:
Boy, 16, stabbed to death in city centre after being attacked ‘by complete stranger’ was war-wounded Syrian refugee – as man, 20, appears in court accused of murder

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk