Oxford News
Small boat migrant imprisoned for Oxford university stabbing
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.
READ MORE: Police make public request after e-scooter seized in Oxfordshire town
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.”
READ MORE: Frustration and worry in Oxford as Iran War sparks sharp rise in fuel costs
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.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson reacts as bomber plane soars over his Cotswolds pub
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.
READ MORE: Major Hollywood star to play live music show in Oxfordshire
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.
READ MORE: Independent petrol stations call for government support amid UK fuel crisis
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.
READ MORE: Broken traffic calming planter on Oxford road slammed as ‘dangerous’
“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.
Lombard Road in Abingdon, between East St Helen Street and West St Helen Street, will be shut from July 3 to July 7 to allow Oxfordshire County Council to carry out footway slurry works.
The closure is being put in place in the interests of ‘public safety’.
In a social media post, Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council said: “A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate on the days shown above.”
Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.
For more information about the works, contact Tim Belton at Oxfordshire County Council on 07812 237621.
-
Oxford Events4 weeks agoMichelin Guide Oxfordshire Restaurants – The Oxford Magazine
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoOxford: ‘Next generation’ LimeBikes in city from today
-
Jobs & Careers3 weeks agoExplore our Careers
-
Jobs & Careers3 weeks agoWhy Join Oxford | Oxford University Jobs
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoOxford News and Events, What’s on in Oxford, Exhibitions
-
Jobs & Careers3 weeks agoInternal Job Board for University vacancies
-
Student Life3 weeks agoThe Art of Personalised Jewellery: Why Engraved Bracelets Are the Ultimate Keepsake
-
Student Life3 weeks agoChancellor of Oxford University hosts special honorary degree ceremony