A TEENAGER from Fishponds has been found guilty of murder after fatally stabbing a man on a busy street.
Mustafa Ali, aged 19, attacked 47-year-old Leon Phillips, who had cycled up to him and four friends as they stood at a bus stop on Stapleton Road in February.
Police who were on their way to another incident on the same street stopped to help Mr Phillips, who collapsed near the junction of Stapleton Road and Trinity Road.
They also chased and arrested Ali, who was captured on CCTV throwing the knife he used to stab Mr Phillips into a nearby alleyway.
Ali (pictured above) denied murder and a trial at Bristol Crown Court started in October.
Today a jury found him guilty by a majority verdict. He faces a mandatory life sentence when he is brought back to be sentenced.
Stabbed at bus stop
Andrew Langdon KC, prosecuting, said Mr Phillips had been a “well-known character” in the neighbourhood.
He said: “Leon would often be seen, either on foot or on a bicycle, in the vicinity of Stapleton Road.
“On the night of February 2 he was on a bicycle, travelling with another man, when they approached a bus stop outside Malik’s Supermarket.
“At the bus stop were five young men, including the defendant, Mustafa Ali, and Leon cycled right up to them.”
Mr Langdon said that Mr Phillips was immediately pushed and stabbed by Ali, causing him to fall from his bike.
He suffered stab wounds to his abdomen, upper right thigh and buttock, and died of his injuries in hospital the following morning.
Captured on CCTV
Ali and four other men were arrested near the scene after being chased by the police who had spotted them running as they headed to attend another call in Stapleton Road.
The attack and the events before and after it were captured by multiple CCTV cameras.
Footage was shown to the jury of Ali meeting up with four other young men at Pepe’s Piri Piri chicken takeaway on Stapleton Road before the attack.
CCTV cameras also recorded Mr Phillips crying out when he was attacked, the five suspects running away and Ali throwing away the murder weapon, which was later recovered.
Although five men, aged between 18 and 20, were initially charged with murder, proceedings against the other four were discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service in April, with Ali the only person to stand trial.
The investigation was carried out by the police Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).
‘Devastating impact’ of knife crime
Detective Chief Inspector Lucy Edgeworth, who led the murder inquiry, said: “This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that knife carrying can have on individuals, families and communities.
“What may start as a perceived means of protection can quickly lead to irreversible consequences
“Behind every incident of knife crime is a family who has lost a loved one and communities that have suffered lasting harm.
“We will continue to pursue those involved in violence, but preventing future tragedies also depends on communities, partner agencies, youth services and families working together to help vulnerable people find safer and more positive paths in life.”
Ali will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court at a later date and has been remanded into custody ahead of the hearing.
A police video about the case can be viewed here.