Oxford News
Eritrean man’s stab attack at Oxford Brookes condemned
Detective Constable Rebekah Routh of Oxford CID called Thomas Mesai Siyoum’s assault “a completely unacceptable act of violence” and said it could have had “fatal consequences”.
Mr Siyoum, of Heath Crescent, Coventry, was sentenced to three years and one month at Oxford Crown Court today (Thursday, April 9).
This was for section 20 unlawful wounding at the Oxford Brookes University James Wolfe Road campus against Abubaker Kadir on July 20 last year.
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In addition, he was handed a concurrent sentence by Judge Maria Lamb for being in possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a knife, for which he was given a 10-month sentence.
Siyoum, who required an Amharic interpreter in court, was initially born in Eritrea but had stints in both Ethiopia and Libya before crossing to the UK on a small boat on December 27, 2024.
His exact age during the trial was not identified, with Judge Lamb stating that it had been indicated he was either 18, 21 or 25.
Mr Kadir had claimed that the two did not know one another before the attack while Siyoum said they had been in contact since he was in Libya, en-route to the UK.
Siyoum added that their disagreement stemmed from a TikTok video about a fight at a concert in London.
Siyoum stabbed the victim in the right inner leg, hitting a femoral artery, with Mr Kadir’s companions applying a tourniquet
He was subsequently rushed to hospital, but he has since been discharged.
The attacker was arrested on September 12 and was charged the following day.
Reacting to the sentence, Detective Constable Routh, said: “This was a serious and completely unacceptable act of violence that could very easily have had fatal consequences.
“Mesai Siyoum inflicted serious injuries to the victim, and it was only thanks to a quick-thinking member of the public using a t-shirt as a tourniquet that the victim’s life was saved.
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“We hope this outcome provides some reassurance to the community and serves as a reminder that violence will not be tolerated.
“Thames Valley Police remain committed to tackling violent crime and ensuring victims receive the justice they deserve.”
In her summary at the sentencing Judge Maria Lamb said: “Whatever the topic of your falling out I do not regard it as any form of justification for what you then did.”
Subject to a current Home Office investigation into his immigration status he will be required to serve at least 40 per cent of his sentence.
Thomas Mesai Siyoum, of Heath Crescent, Coventry, was sentenced to three years and one month at Oxford Crown Court today (Thursday, April 9).
This was for section 20 unlawful wounding at the Oxford Brookes University James Wolfe Road campus against Abubaker Kadir on July 20 last year.
In addition, he was handed a concurrent sentence by Judge Maria Lamb for being in possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a knife, for which he was given a 10-month sentence.
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Previously the jury had found him not guilty of the more serious crime of section 18 wounding with intent at the Crown Court on Thursday, March 12.
Siyoum, who required an Amharic interpreter in court, was initially born in Eritrea but had stints in both Ethiopia and Libya before crossing to the UK on a small boat on December 27, 2024.
His exact age during the trial was not identified, with Judge Lamb stating that it had been indicated he was either 18, 21 or 25.
During the initial trial Siyoum said he spoke to Mr Kadir on TikTok while he was in Libya, en-route to the UK.
He said they met in-person in Birmingham.
This is despite Mr Kadir saying they had never met before, although the judge said she believed they knew one another.
Siyoum told the jury there was a fight at a concert in London and a post on TikTok accused people from Eritrea of being involved, including Mr Kadir.
Siyoum and Kadir were seen on CCTV arguing, after which the former went to get the knife.
At the trial he was asked if he was planning to stab Mr Kadir. He replied: “Never.”
In his closing speech at the trial, prosecution barrister Christopher Pembridge said: “Mr Mesai got aggravated by something. Was it being called gay?
“Suddenly a strong, determined, out of the blue thrust downwards with the knife. He intended to bury the knife into his leg.
“Mr Mesai absolutely lost his cool. He completely saw red and took it out on Mr Kadir.”
Mr Kadir was stabbed in the leg and the arm and at today’s sentencing hearing the judge said she did believe it was “life-threatening”.
In her summary, she said: “Were it not for the quick thinking of Mr Kadir’s companions in manufacturing a tourniquet and the work of the emergency services the outcome could have been very different.”
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Summarising, she added: “Whatever the topic of your falling out I do not regard it as any form of justification for what you then did.”
After he had retrieved the knife from his accommodation, he had taken his shoes off which the judge said she believed was so he could move quicker.
She took into account Mr Siyoum’s age, that he had pleaded guilty to the charge and that he had tried to source help for the victim once he had stabbed him.
Subject to a current Home Office investigation into his immigration status he will be required to serve at least 40 per cent of his sentence.
Named the ‘Mini.01’, the vehicle will be delivered to the client in the United States, while it was produced at the firm’s plant in Oxford.
The car features a triple-layered two-tone paint finish in Midnight Black and a unique shade of metallic green chosen by the customer.
It comes equipped with 18-inch JCW Rallye Spoke alloy wheels, a two-tone rear diffuser, a Union Jack soft-top fabric roof, black door mirrors with white stripes and a ‘Mini Super Special 001’ wording located on the front wheel arch.
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Inside, there are green-coloured accents found on the seat inserts, toggle bar trim, the dashboard strap and Harman Kardon speaker surrounds.
There is a matte white finish around the air vents, cupholders and door handles, while the ‘Mini.01’ badge can be found on the steering wheel, wireless phone charger and floor mats.
Meanwhile, the door sills are complemented by illuminated ‘Mini Super Special 001’ inscriptions on the scuff plates.
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Markus Grüneisl, CEO of Mini’s Oxford and Swindon plant, said: “This custom-crafted John Cooper Works Convertible represents a fantastic collaboration between the Mini product and design teams, the local market, and Plant Oxford production.
“We’re delighted with the result and craftsmanship that showcases what our team in the UK can achieve.”
The Mini.01 is just a one-off special, though the firm has not revealed how much the American customer paid for this unique creation.
The Corner House in Hollow Way, Headington, was built in the mid-1930s and remains a trading pub in the present day, despite rumours a decade ago it would be turned into a convenience store.
In 2015, New River Retail applied to change the use of the pub so it could be turned into a convenience store.
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However in that same year local people successfully nominated it as an Asset of Community Value and the change of use did not occur.
Currently, it is reported that the New River Retail lease the pub to Marston’s PLC, which operates more than 1,300 pubs and inns across Great Britain.
However, this week it was put up for a £707,500 sale by Savills UK.
Its listing stated: “The property comprises the basement, ground and first floors of a two-storey detached building, together with a single-storey extension, with painted elevations beneath a pitched roof.
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“The property has an approximate site area of 0.124 of an acre.”
Its business rates value is £15,000 and its let to Marston’s Plc does not expire until November 2031 with a passing rent of £43,473 per annum.
The Corner House has a 4.2-star rating based on over 200 Google reviews and hosts regular karaoke and live music evenings.
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