Family of father stabbed to death on busy high-street call for tougher penalties on knives

Mohamed: The father of two was knifed in the chest in front of shoppers on Wealdstone high street
PA
Daniel O'Mahony17 October 2017
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The family of a man stabbed to death as he waited for his daughter to buy sweets today demanded tougher punishments for those who carry knives.

Mohamed Al-Zufairi, 34, was knifed in the chest in front of shoppers on Wealdstone high street, half a mile from his home. He later died in hospital.

Killer Abraham Omotoso, 27, had a conviction for carrying a knife. He was found guilty of manslaughter at the Old Bailey after claiming he had acted in self-defence.

The court heard there was “bad blood” between his brother and other members of the Al-Zufairi family.

Jailed: insurance worker Abraham Omotos was jailed for 18 years
PA

Today Mr Al-Zufairi’s brother Ali said: “You shouldn’t carry a knife in the first place, there should be something tougher done.”

He said if penalties were more severe, particularly for repeat offenders, Omotoso, of Harrow, might not have considered carrying a knife again. The sentence for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and an unlimited fine. The Sentencing Council has said it wants stricter punishments.

Mr Al-Zufairi, who had worked as a Heathrow cargo handler, moved to London from Kuwait in 1993 and lived with his wife and two children. He had been waiting for his daughter Hannin, eight, to buy sweets in a Poundland when he was confronted by Omotoso just before 7pm on February 27.

Victim: Mohamed Al-Zufairi was waiting for his daughter Hannin to buy sweets when he was stabbed

CCTV cameras recorded him outside the shop as Omotoso approached him. After a short argument Omotoso pulled out a knife and stabbed Mr Al-Zufairi. Mr Al-Zufairi’s sister Fatima said Hannin was receiving counselling and “has been left sad, frightened and scared”.

There was a 24 per cent rise in knife crime in the capital in the 12 months to June, according to police figures. Sentencing Omotoso to 18 years in prison, Judge Nicholas Cooke said: “Sadly the carrying of knives is all too common.”

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