The Metropolitan Police Service

01/24/2023 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/24/2023 11:49

Teenager guilty of manslaughter in Twickenham

A teenager has been found guilty of manslaughter after stabbing 18-year-old Hazrat Wali to death in Twickenham.

Today, Tuesday, 24 January, at the Old Bailey the 17-year-old boy, who was aged 16 at the time of the offence and cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of manslaughter.

He is due to be sentenced at the same court on Friday, 10 March.

The court heard that at around 16:30hrs on 12 October 2021, Hazrat and another teenager were sat in Craneford Way Playing Fields when he was approached by six teenagers he did not know.

The 17-year old was one of the group and became involved in an argument with Hazrat. They started to push against each other, continuing to argue.

Hazrat used his left arm to push the defendant away. In a matter of seconds, the defendant pulled out a knife and stabbed Hazrat in the right side of his chest.

The wound was deep and caused internal injuries that led to fatal blood loss.

Hazrat grabbed a tree branch in an attempt to defend himself but moments later he collapsed to the floor. The defendant made off.

Although officers and the London Ambulance Service were called to the scene, they could not save Hazrat's life.

In early 2015 when Hazrat was just 13 years old he left Afghanistan for his own safety and to start a new life. He lived for a short time in Austria before moving permanently to the UK and settled in London in 2017.

Hazrat was described consistently by all those across all care settings as a shy friendly, polite and respectful to everyone he met.

Detective Inspector Matt Denby said: "Tragically, another young life has been cut short by people who carry knives.

"This was a completely senseless killing. Incidents such as this highlight why tackling knife crime is a priority for the Met, and why we are working tirelessly alongside our partners to bring those who carry knives on our streets to justice."

"It is my sincere hope that Hazrat's loved ones find a measure of comfort in this conviction. My thoughts are with them and the community who have supported the family throughout."