Boy Convicted Of Murder Of Teenager Fatally Stabbed In Brighton

A boy who fatally stabbed a teenager in the centre of Brighton has been convicted of murder.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, was found guilty of the murder of 17-year-old Mustafa Momand following a two-week trial at Brighton Crown Court on Monday, March 4.

Mustafa died from a single stab wound on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

Emergency services were called at around 5pm that afternoon to Queens Road in Brighton, where members of the public were already delivering emergency first aid to Mustafa.

Witnesses described seeing him in an altercation with another boy at the junction of Queens Road and Gloucester Road, before being chased north towards the railway station and collapsing outside the Ibis Hotel.

Mustafa was taken to hospital, where he was sadly confirmed deceased.

The suspect, who was seen to be carrying a large knife, fled along Gloucester Road and was later seen on CCTV moving towards Preston Circus.

An urgent manhunt was launched and, at 6.15pm, officers attending a seemingly unrelated incident spotted the suspect and arrested him in The Avenue, Bevendean – around two and a half miles away from the scene.

He was wearing the same clothing described by witnesses of the incident, stained with what was later to be confirmed as Mustafa’s blood.

The suspect, who is from Southwick, was subsequently charged with murder, as well as making threats with a bladed article and threats with an offensive weapon in relation to two unrelated incidents.

He was found guilty of murder and making threats with a blade, and not guilty of making threats with an offensive weapon.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place at a court to be confirmed on Thursday, May 2.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell, of Sussex and Surrey Police’s Major Crime Team, said:

“Mustafa Momand lost his life in the most tragic circumstances and our thoughts remain, as they have throughout this investigation, with his family and loved ones.

“No verdict can make up for the devastation caused by this senseless act of violence, but this outcome means Mustafa’s killer will now face justice for his crimes.

“I would like to commend the initial responders and investigative team for their diligent work to secure this conviction and we will now look ahead to sentencing.”

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Yates, Sussex Police’s lead for knife crime and serious violence, said:

“The events of October 5 are another tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of carrying a knife.

“One young life has been cruelly cut short, while another boy has been convicted of his murder.

“Every day, Sussex Police and our partners will keep doing all we can to tackle knife crime. That means tirelessly engaging with young people to educate them on the dangers as early as possible; working with people already in contact with authorities to steer them away from crime and carrying out enforcement action to target perpetrators.

“Sussex is a safe place - figures show knife offences in the county are well below the national average, but any knife on the streets is one too many.

“Please, do not feel that you have to carry a weapon. You are putting yourself and others in danger. It’s not worth the risk.”

If you have any concerns around knife crime or those who may be carrying knives in public, please contact police online or via 101. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Always dial 999 in an emergency.