Knifeman jailed for 12 YEARS after victim survived being stabbed in neck by 'sheer luck'

A knifeman who plunged a blade into his victim's neck during a street fight has been jailed.
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Ibrahim Abdilahi severed Lanush Alija's carotid artery when he stabbed him and caused a second knife wound to his upper torso on November 1 last year.

The pair, who had been at the same immigration detention centre in 2016, had initially been fighting with their fists, but Abdilahi produced a weapon.

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Abdilahi, of Hutton Street, Sunderland, stood trial last month and was found not guilty of attempted murder by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court.

Ibrahim Abdilahi severed Lanush Alija's carotid artery when he stabbed him and caused a second knife wound to his upper torso on November 1 last year.Ibrahim Abdilahi severed Lanush Alija's carotid artery when he stabbed him and caused a second knife wound to his upper torso on November 1 last year.
Ibrahim Abdilahi severed Lanush Alija's carotid artery when he stabbed him and caused a second knife wound to his upper torso on November 1 last year.

However, the 28-year-old was convicted of wounding with intent and having an article with a blade or point.

The court had heard that Mr Alija had survived the injuries through "sheer luck", but Abdilahi denied he was the knifeman.

He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment with an extended period of three years by Mr Justice James Goss.

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During the trial, prosecutor Tom Mitchell told jurors a neighbour had seen some of the attack and called 999.

Ibrahim AbdilahiIbrahim Abdilahi
Ibrahim Abdilahi

Mr Mitchell said that the violence involved a male who was "bald and white" being stabbed by a "black male", who prosecutors said was Abdilahi.

The witness saw the black male enter a property on Hutton Street after the stabbing and was able to point out the door to the police when they arrived.

Mr Mitchell added: "When police went in they found three white males, together with the defendant, the sole black male occupant, who was bloodied."

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Abdilahi had suffered cuts to his fingers and scientific analysis showed that the blood found was his own. He told officers he had been cut while opening a can of tuna with a knife.

Northumbria Police launched an investigation after the attack.Northumbria Police launched an investigation after the attack.
Northumbria Police launched an investigation after the attack.

However, Mr Mitchell told jurors that this "wasn't true" and the injury was instead caused while carrying out the attack on Mr Alija.

He said: "Mr Abdilahi's claim he had cut his hand on a can of tuna didn't stand up to scrutiny. No tin of tuna could be found upon a search conducted of the house the bins and the outside bins."

During the sentencing hearing, Mr Justice Goss told the court how Abdilahi had got into a fight with Mr Alija, a 35-year-old Kosovan man, at around 7.45pm.

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Abdilahi and Mr Alija, who has since been deported, initially used fists to attack each other but Abdilahi pulled out a weapon.

Northumbria Police cordoned off the scene.Northumbria Police cordoned off the scene.
Northumbria Police cordoned off the scene.

The judge said: "You were seen to pull out a large knife, remove it from its sheath and slash at the front of his neck."

Mr Alija was left with a stab wound, a fracture and damage to his carotid artery.

Justice Goss added: "If the knife had penetrated the artery further, even by a very short distance, it's likely he would have died.

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"What caused you and the complainant to fight in the street is known only to the two of you."

He added that he poses a significant risk of causing serious harm.

The court heard Abdilahi, who had "adverse childhood experiences" in Somalia, is likely to face deportation.

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