Ibrahima Seck, a 14-year-old boy, was tragically stabbed to death in the street in New Moston, north Manchester, last summer, an incident that has left his family devastated and prompted a significant legal outcome. The teenager had left his home to play football but never returned, becoming a victim of fatal violence. Eight months after the incident, his family witnessed the sentencing of three boys convicted in connection with his killing.

The incident occurred on June 8 last year. Ibrahima had been sitting in the garden with his father, Mamadou, before heading out to meet friends for a game of football. His mother, Assa, was planning to cook his favourite meal – peanut butter, rice, and meat – a meal he would never get to enjoy. Shortly after leaving home, Ibrahima encountered three defendants. Prosecutor Jaime Hamilton KC detailed how, in the street, after a brief altercation, 'Boy B' handed 'Boy A' a knife. All three defendants then chased Ibrahima. Tragically, Ibrahima slipped to the floor, and 'Boy A' stabbed him in the heart. He died almost an hour later in hospital despite desperate attempts by first responders. The court heard that Ibrahima had previously been subjected to intimidation and harassment from his killers. 'Boy A' later 'boasted' about the killing in a rap video, saying, "We just done a murder."

The legal proceedings culminated in a month-long trial at Manchester Crown Court. 'Boy A', 14, who delivered the fatal stab wound, was found guilty of murder, despite having admitted manslaughter earlier. 'Boy B', 17, and 'Boy C', 14, who were said to have assisted and encouraged the act, were found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. Due to legal reasons, the defendants cannot be named, a decision upheld by the judge despite an application by the Manchester Evening News to lift reporting restrictions for reasons of public interest and open justice.

Sentences were handed down with 'Boy A' receiving detention for at least 11 years and ten months at His Majesty's pleasure, the youth equivalent of a life sentence. 'Boy B' was sentenced to two years and ten months detention, and 'Boy C' received two years and four months detention. Both 'Boy B' and 'Boy C' will serve two-thirds of their sentences in detention. Ripples of applause were heard from the public gallery where associates of the defendants were seated, while Ibrahima’s parents were present to hear the verdicts and sentences.

The impact on Ibrahima’s family has been profound and lasting. Assa Seck, in a statement read on her behalf, expressed her unending pain: “They have devastated our family. It feels so desperately unfair.” She highlighted that while her son’s killers would eventually 'live their lives', she would 'carry this pain forever'. Mamadou Seck continues to relive the trauma daily, thinking about his son every minute. He shared his agony: “I can still picture him now. I think about how terrified he must have been when he fell and was stabbed. I have been told that he said he didn’t want to die. No parent should ever have to bury their child. It should have been me who passed away first, not him.” Mamadou also revealed he takes anti-depressants to cope with his grief, which he feels compelled to hide to remain strong for his family. He reflected on Ibrahima’s aspirations, stating his son wanted to become an actor and provide for them, a goal that made him incredibly proud.

Ibrahima, born in Belgium, moved to the UK in 2018 with his family, seeking a better life and opportunities in education and the future. He attended the Greater Manchester Independent School and was a keen boxer and footballer. Assa described him as her 'best friend', a wonderful companion who brought light into her life with his silly dances. His family collectively described him as a 'very nice boy', 'smiling all the time, always wanting to help', 'funny, caring, and hard-working'. They lamented, “They have not only killed Ibrahima but the whole family and all those people who loved him.”

The court also heard from the legal teams defending the boys. Richard Littler KC, defending 'Boy A', stated his client was 'genuinely sorry' and acknowledged he deserved a life sentence for taking a life. Allison Summers KC, for 'Boy B', argued the crime was committed 'in the heat of a dynamic and fast moving situation' and 'without any thought of the potential consequences', noting Boy B’s 'significant remorse and shame'. Richard English KC, for 'Boy C', emphasized his client did not possess a knife and was 'some distance' from the attack. Additionally, two women, Naomi Heavens, 39, and Keri Dobson, 37, were convicted of assisting an offender for helping 'Boy A' and 'Boy B' leave the area and providing a change of clothing. They received 12-month suspended prison sentences, with the judge noting their actions made no real difference in identifying those responsible.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Platten from GMP’s Major Investigation Team, the Senior Investigating Officer, thanked Ibrahima’s family for their strength and bravery. He underscored the devastating nature of knife crime, calling it 'one of the most devastating forms of violence facing our communities and young people today'. DCI Platten stressed that 'it takes only a moment - a split‑second decision - to use a knife, but the consequences that follow can last a lifetime'. He reiterated GMP’s zero-tolerance policy, highlighting the work of Operation Venture in making arrests, seizing weapons, and disrupting those who carry knives. He urged young people to choose not to carry a knife, advising anyone with suspicions about someone carrying a knife to speak up, challenge them, or report it to the police or anonymously through Fearless, a Crimestoppers initiative.