A man who stabbed a teenager to death in Harrow, north London, has been convicted of murder after painting himself as the victim.
Saeed Ibrahim, 19, was found guilty of killing Anis Omar Zen before Inner London Crown Court on Friday after tests revealed traces of both their DNA on the weapon.
The Met were called to Masefield Avenue in Stanmore on September 4 following reports that a man had been stabbed.
And ambulance teams confirmed Mr Zen - also 19 - had died at the scene.
A post-mortem examination confirmed that he had been stabbed twice with one blow to the chest.
“Detectives established that Anis had taken a taxi to Masefield Avenue in order to visit a friend,” a statement read.
“The driver later told officers he saw a man – who was carrying a large knife – running along the road towards the victim before confronting him, and stabbing him in the chest.”
Three days after the murder, Ibrahim attended a north London police station where he was arrested before being interviewed.
He answered “no comment” to every question that was put to him. However, in a prepared statement, he claimed that he was approached by the victim who threatened him with a knife leading to a struggle and Mr Zen being killed.
Detective chief inspector Laurence Smith said: “Throughout our investigation, and this trial, Saeed Ibrahim painted himself as the victim – claiming he had been attacked.
“Eye witness accounts showed this not to be the case, and the jury have today found him guilty.
“The dangers of carrying a knife, and the willingness to use it, are all too evident in this case. Ibrahim can expect a lengthy prison sentence for his actions.”
Ibrahim was remanded to appear for sentencing on September 6.
DCI Smith added: “Once again, a family has had to sit in court listening to the details of how their loved one lost their life in a brutal and entirely unjustified attack with a knife.
“Our thoughts remain with Anis’s family as they continue to struggle to come to terms with their loss.”
