Roker Avenue stabbing: knifeman sentenced to 27 years after two men injured in Sunderland incident
A man branded a public danger after being convicted of an attempted murder in Sunderland has been jailed.
Adam Ahmed appeared before Newcastle Crown Court today, Monday, April 13, where he was sentenced to 27 years and a further five on licence following a trial at the same court in December last year.
Shortly after 4.40pm on June 21, 2025, police responded to a disturbance inside an address on Roker Avenue.
Two men – one aged in his 40s and the other in his 20s – were found to have both sustained serious knife injuries.
Both were taken to hospital for treatment and were later discharged.
During the terrifying attacks, Leon Askew had been speaking on the phone to his mum when murderous Adam Ahmed stabbed him in the neck without warning then inflicted further knife wounds.
When Mr Askew managed to get away Ahmed then turned the weapon on Robert Graham, who was stabbed in the stomach as he left his room at the shared house in Roker.
Ahmed, 30, of Roker Avenue, was arrested at the scene and later charged with attempted murder in relation to the two victims.
Shocking video footage from inside the house after the attacks shows Ahmed calmly walk down a set of stairs while police wait for him at the bottom.
Following his trial, he was convicted of one count of attempted murder in relation to one of the victims and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to the other.
The court was told those involved were all known to each other, and Ahmed launched the attack after hallucinating that the victims had been talking about him.
He was remanded in custody until his sentencing today.
Chief Inspector Ian Blakemore, of Northumbria Police, said: “Two men sustained significant injuries in this very serious incident, and it was quickly established that this was an isolated incident involving people who were known to each other.
“Adam Ahmed was swiftly arrested and charged, and the outstanding work of all involved with the investigation means the person responsible for this attack is now facing a lengthy spell behind bars.”
Chief Insp Blakemore added: “We recognise the concern incidents of this nature can cause in our communities.
“Violence is never the answer – when incidents do occur we will take robust action and seek to bring offenders to face justice.”