Boy, 15, who murdered teenager jailed for life after stabbing student in heart outside school

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

0 3 minutes read

A teenager who stabbed a 15-year-old “in plain view” of a group of schoolchildren has been sentenced to life.

Alfie Lewis was stabbed to death by Bardia Shojaeifard in the Horsforth area of Leeds on November 7 last year.

Shojaeifard, who can now be legally named for the first time, was found guilty following a unanimous jury verdict following his trial at Leeds Crown Court on May 3.

Today, Shojaeifard, who was 14 at the time of the murder, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 13 years.

Alfie Lewis, stabbed to death by Bardia Shojaeifard

PA Police/South Yorkshire

Shojaeifard had admitted stabbing Lewis with a 13cm-long kitchen knife he had brought from home, but denied murder, saying he had feared for his life when he pulled out the weapon.

Lewis was attacked at the junction of Church Road and Church Lane, in Horsforth, near a primary school.

He was stabbed twice – once in the chest and once in the leg – and the chest wound penetrated his heart and caused catastrophic bleeding. He was pronounced dead in hospital shortly after.

Eyewitnesses, including children, school staff and bystanders, testified during the trial that they saw Shojaeifard approach Lewis and attack him without provocation.

They reported seeing Lewis backing away and being heard saying “relax” and “what are you doing?” as Shojaeifard threw the knife at him.

After fleeing the scene, he was arrested at his home approximately an hour later after being identified by witnesses.

Lewis was stabbed by Shojaeifard

Pennsylvania/West Yorkshire Police

Judge Cotter said people would wonder how a young boy “from a loving and supportive family” could commit such an “extraordinary” crime “without warning or any warning signs, apart from a few photos of knives on his phone.”

The judge said at the sentencing hearing that on the surface, Shojaeifard was a normal 14-year-old boy, with no interest in crime, although with a poor school disciplinary record. The court heard he had no interest in drugs, gangs or mental health issues.

Speaking directly to the accused as she read his victim impact statement to the court, Lewis' mother Heather Lane said: “No sentence will ever be enough for what you have done. I will never forgive you , forever. Alfie was my heart and when he got stabbed in the heart, it killed me too.

She described him as her “big-hearted boy”, known for “solving everyone's problems and being the peacekeeper… We laughed and danced and smiled, we loved each other for 15 years and I thought that we would do this for the rest of our lives.” my life.”

Tributes left on a bench on Broadgate Lane, Horsforth

Pennsylvania

Nicholas Lumley KC, defending, said the crime was “out of character” and Shojaeifard was the son of “completely honest and loving parents”.

The judge said: “Alfie was a much loved and loving son and nephew, a friend to many – kind and big-hearted with a love of football, something you shared, you even played together in fifth grade.

“Despite his academic difficulties, he had many positive qualities. He had a long life ahead of him and you took that away.”

He added: “Knives have stolen so many lives, and you and others need to understand how dangerous this obsession is. If it weren't for your interest in knives, Alfie would be here today.”

Shojaeifard had a 'disturbing interest in knives'

West Yorkshire Police

Lead investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson, said: “Shojaeifard targeted Alfie in a premeditated and planned attack using deadly violence to end his young life, for which there can be no excuse or justification.

“His actions robbed Alfie of his future and left his family and friends absolutely devastated. No sentence will ever compensate them for their loss.

“Shojaeifard will have the rest of his life to reflect on the terrible pain and heartbreak his violent actions have caused Alfie’s family.”