Oumar Traore, now 18, was found guilty of murdering 19-year-old Yassin Alama in Handsworth on November 16 last year. The then-17-year-old stabbed the victim in the stomach amid a postcode gang war in north Birmingham.
Court Reveals Trauma History
At Birmingham Crown Court, the jury was told Traore had been stabbed twice himself, most recently in September, three months before he killed Mr Alama. Gurdeep Garcha KC, defending, said it had now come to light that Traore had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mr Garcha stated: "It is now understood since he has been at HMP Werrington (Young Offenders Institution) assessments were undertaken of Oumar Traore. The conclusion was he was suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder based on the incidents of stabbing the court is familiar with."
Defence Seeks Report on Mental Health
Mr Garcha did not initially seek a pre-sentence report but said a youth offending worker had told him about certain aspects of Traore's background he was not previously aware of. He added: "Now I'm aware of that background I can't ignore it. It seems I must explore that. It may be if there's that background it may impact the court's assessment of his culpability. Given his young age, that's very much at the heart of the exercise your honour has to undertake."
Sentencing Adjourned for Psychiatric Evaluation
Judge Heidi Kubik KC agreed to an adjournment of several weeks for a pre-sentence report as well as either a psychiatric or psychological report. She confirmed Traore would receive a mandatory life sentence. The current starting point for the minimum term he will serve is 23 years before aggravating and mitigation features are considered.
Traore, who lived on Hutton Road where he inflicted the fatal blow, was due to be sentenced on Friday, July 3. The case was adjourned to allow for the preparation of reports that will inform the judge's final decision on the minimum term.
