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.

Police in James Wolfe Road (Image: Newsquest)

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.

Thomas Mesai Siyoum was sentenced to 3 years and 1 month at Oxford Crown Court (Image: TVP)

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.