A 17-year-old youth from Leicester has been found guilty of a wounding with intent during a violent, drug-related, attack.
On Hallowe’en last year the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had arranged to meet 17-year-old Rhys Singh Bahia, also from Leicester, and Rhys’ friend, also 17, in the Belgrave area of the city in order to sell cannabis.
But during the meeting Rhys tried to rob the youth and threatened him with a stun gun, and in the ensuing argument, Rhys suffered multiple stab injuries from which he died. Rhys’ friend was also stabbed in the incident.
The youth was yesterday (Tuesday 24 April) found guilty by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court of wounding with intent for the attack on Rhys’ friend, but was acquitted of the murder or manslaughter of Rhys. He had denied all charges.
The defendant had, however, pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing in February to possession of a bladed article and to possession with intent to supply cannabis.
He will be sentenced on a date yet to be set.
Detective Inspector Mark Sinski, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit major crime team, led the investigation.
He said: “We presented before the court all the evidence available to us surrounding the events of that fateful night on October 31 and I respect the decision reached by the jury in relation to the fatal injuries suffered by Rhys.
“The upshot of the events that evening is that one young man died, another was seriously injured, and a third – the defendant – will now be sentenced for his part in the incident.
“It is hard to escape the reality that, in this case like so many, illegal drugs and the carrying of weapons lie at the heart of a very violent incident.
“I can only hope that this case serves as a wake-up call, to those who are involved in the supply and use of illegal drugs, and to those who carry illegal weapons, that you are placing yourself, and others, in grave peril, and the price that can be paid is very significant.”
Source:: Leicestershire Police News