Four teenagers have been convicted in connection with the fatal stabbing of Michael Ababio outside Foleshill Library in Coventry on Sunday, 22 February. The group, aged between 17 and 19, attacked and stabbed Ababio, who was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Another man, aged 19, was also attacked and stabbed during the same incident but survived his injuries. The convictions follow a West Midlands Police investigation that identified and charged all four offenders.
Details of the attack and convictions
Shakeel Ahmed, 18, and Mahad Mohammed, 19, pleaded guilty to manslaughter against Michael. A 17-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, pleaded guilty to murder. All three also admitted wounding the 19-year-old man.
Ismail Nabeel, 18, pleaded guilty to manslaughter during the trial and was found guilty of murder and wounding with intent. All four were remanded into custody and will be sentenced at a later date.
Attempts to evade justice
Following Michael's death, members of the group attempted to avoid arrest. One suspect fled to Pakistan in an effort to escape prosecution, but officers were able to identify and charge all four individuals.
The investigation was led by Detective Inspector Nigel Box of West Midlands Police, who described the attack as premeditated and deliberate.
Police statement on the case
Detective Inspector Nigel Box said: "Michael’s death was a tragic and senseless loss of life. He was attacked by this group, two of whom pursued and cornered him next to the library before stabbing him."
He added: "Ever since Michael's death, our officers have been working relentlessly to identify suspects, charge them and secure prosecutions. We hope this conviction will bring some sense of justice for Michael's family and friends."
Box also noted: "The level of premeditation which went into the killing, along with the lengths the four defendants went to in order to avoid arrest, shows how deliberate and knowingly wrong their actions were."
