Two drunken teenagers have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the racially motivated murder of Kamran Aman in a violent attack on a Barry street last summer.
Marcus Staniforth, 17, and a 16-year-old boy identified only as MSL due to legal protections, received indefinite detention at His Majesty’s pleasure at Cardiff Crown Court today.
Staniforth must serve a minimum of 17 years before parole consideration, while MSL faces at least 15 years, reduced slightly for 232 days already spent in custody. Both will remain on lifetime licence upon any future release, subject to Parole Board review.
The attack occurred between June 30 and July 1, 2025, after Aman, 42, had dropped off shopping at his mother’s home on Barry Road. Sitting in his car ready to return to his wife and four-year-old daughter, he became the target of the intoxicated teens.
According to sentencing remarks by Mr Justice Griffiths, the defendants had spent the day drinking at a nearby house belonging to MSL’s cousin, Shauna, and her partner, Amina. Earlier tensions had prompted a police call, but the situation appeared calm until MSL spotted Aman outside.
MSL, then 16 years and four months old, was described by the judge as “volatile and aggressive,” under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. He had previously scrawled racist graffiti, including the phrase “Where they niggers at?”
He shouted abuse at Aman from a window, grabbed a hammer, and attempted to confront him, though Amina intervened to disarm him.
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Staniforth encouraged MSL to confront Aman. During the altercation, Aman defended himself against punches and kicks. MSL repeatedly hurled racist slurs, intending serious injury.
Staniforth then escalated the violence, retrieving a knife from the house and stabbing Aman through the heart. Aman collapsed and later died despite the rapid response of medics. Staniforth later attempted to destroy evidence.
Devoted husband and father
In court, victim impact statements from Aman’s wife and mother highlighted the profound grief endured by his family, including his young daughter and extended relatives. The judge acknowledged the irreversible loss, stating Aman’s memory “will live on.”
Aman is remembered as a devoted husband, father, and well-respected member of his community. He has been described by family and police as compassionate, generous, and dedicated to those around him. His wife said he “would go out of his way to help others,” while his mother recalled his care and attentiveness toward family.
Relatives said his sudden death has caused “heartbreak, disbelief, anger and a wound that will never close,” and emphasised the lasting impact on both his family and the wider Barry community.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Kath Barry, from South Wales Police, said: “Kamran was a much-loved husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. He was a popular and well-liked member of his community.
“Kamran was simply delivering shopping to his elderly mother when this unprovoked attack, by two people unknown to him, took place. Kamran did nothing whatsoever to warrant this.
“The violence could never have been foreseen and was made even more shocking by the abhorrent racist abuse used before, during and after, all captured on video footage.
“Within a matter of minutes, the lives of Kamran’s family changed forever, and they are still trying to comprehend how this could possibly have happened, particularly outside the house they have called home for almost 20 years.
“They have behaved with dignity and remarkable composure during the proceedings, despite having to listen to the unbearable details of his death. No sentence regardless of its length can replace the pain that Kamran’s family are feeling. I hope that today’s sentences bring them a degree of comfort and, in time, allows them to rebuild their lives. We know Kamran will always be in their thoughts and we will always think of them.”
