Sunderland man on trial for attempted murder in alleged street stabbing

Prosecutors claim Ibrahim Abdilahi plunged a knife into Lanush Alija's neck and upper torso with "murderous intent" on November 1 last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the wound to Mr Alija's neck severed his internal carotid artery and he survived through "sheer luck".

Prosecutor Tom Mitchell told the court: "It is the prosecution case that the defendant Ibrahim Abdilahi tried to kill Lanush Alija by stabbing him in the neck and the torso."

Abdilahi, 28, of Hutton Street, Sunderland, denies attempted murder, wounding with intent and having an article with a blade or point and is being tried by a jury.

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 claim 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 told jurors: "He cut his hand when he was trying to murder Luanush Alija".

The court heard Abdilahi denied being at the scene of the stabbing or being responsible for it.

Mr Mitchell said the main issue in the case is "did he do it".

The trial continues.

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.