A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the “deliberate and unprovoked” murder of 16-year-old Syrian refugee Ahmad Al-Ibrahim in Huddersfield town centre.
Alfie Franco, who was convicted of murder at Leeds Crown Court, will serve a minimum of 23 years behind bars before being eligible for parole.
The court heard that Franco stabbed Ahmad in the neck in broad daylight, using a flick knife he had concealed in his clothing.
The attack took place in full view of bystanders, including children, on a sunny day in the busy centre of Huddersfield.
Ahmad, described as a friendly and ambitious teenager, had come to the UK to pursue his education and escape the violence of war-torn Syria.
‘You lured him within range to kill him’
The judge described the killing as “a determined and calculated act,” dismissing Franco’s claims of self-defence as deliberate lies.
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CCTV footage played in court showed Franco calling Ahmad over, removing the knife from his waistband, and continuing to eat ice cream calmly before launching the fatal attack.
“You stabbed Ahmad in the neck with speed and force. It was a deliberate aim at a vulnerable part of his body,” the judge told Franco. “Your actions show a clear intent to kill.”
Ahmad suffered catastrophic injuries, including damage to his jugular vein, windpipe, and carotid artery. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Ahmad had fled Syria with the hope of building a better life in the UK. His uncle, Gazwan Al-Ibrahim, who had been caring for him since his arrival, described the teenager as sociable, kind-hearted, and determined to become a doctor to help his chronically ill mother.
Tragically, news of Ahmad’s death triggered a heart attack in his father back in Syria. The family remains devastated. “The pain of their loss is unimaginable,” the judge said, offering condolences to the grieving relatives.
As part of the sentencing, Franco was ordered to forfeit and destroy the murder weapon. A second knife found in his bedroom and his mobile phone — used to record videos showing his proficiency with the weapon — were also ordered to be destroyed.
The court heard that Franco had practiced using a knife left-handed due to an injury in his dominant hand.
Messages revealed he had discussed stabbing a stranger just the night before the attack, which the judge said showed he was “enthusiastic” about using the weapon.
Mitigating factors and age considered
Despite the brutal nature of the crime, the judge acknowledged Franco’s young age and immaturity, noting that he was easily influenced by peers and likely did not fully understand the consequences of his actions.
“You are a young man substantially influenced by the opinions of others and a desire to impress. Your immaturity reduces your culpability somewhat,” the judge said.
Franco, who had no previous convictions, also received a 12-month concurrent sentence for possession of an offensive weapon, which he had admitted earlier in the proceedings.
The sentencing comes amid ongoing national concern over knife crime among young people in the UK. The fact that the murder took place in broad daylight, in a busy shopping area, has sparked renewed calls for action.
