Sunderland knifeman facing jail despite being found NOT GUILTY of attempted murder

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

Newcastle Crown Court Mr Alija survived the injuries through "sheer luck".

Abdilahi, 28, of Hutton Street, Sunderland, has been on trial at Newcastle Crown Court accused of attempted murder, wounding with intent and having an article with a blade or point.

He had denied he was the knifeman.

Jurors today found him not guilty of attempted murder but guilty of wounding with intent and having an article with a blade or point.

Mr Justice Goss adjourned the case until a later date so Abdilahi can be assessed as to the danger he poses to the public in future.

Prosecutor Tom Mitchell told jurors the attack happened in Hutton Street and a neighbour saw some of the attack and called 999.

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

The court heard the witness saw the ‘black male’ enter a property on Hutton Street after the stabbing and was able to point out the door to police.

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

The court heard Abdilahi had cuts to his fingers and scientific analysis of the blood found on him showed it to be his own.

Abdilahi told police he had been cut while opening a can of tuna with a knife.

Mr Mitchell told the court: "Mr Abdilahi's claim he 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 outside bins."

Mr Mitchell said the tuna can claim "wasn't true" and the injury was caused by carrying out the attack on Mr Alija.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.