A Moroccan asylum seeker has been convicted for the murder of pensioner Terence Carney who he stabbed six times in “revenge” for the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Ahmed Alid stabbed the 70-year-old to death in Hartlepool town centre early on October 15 – eight days after Hamas attacked Israel.
Alid was also found guilty of the attempted murder of his housemate Javed Nouri who he attacked in his bed minutes before attacking Carney.
At around 5am, the 45-year-old broke into the bedroom of Nouri - a Christian convert - and knifed him while he slept.
A Moroccan asylum seeker has been convicted for the murder of pensioner Terence Carney who he stabbed six times in 'revenge' for the Israel-Hamas conflict
PA/ Counter Terror PoliceAlid shouted “Allahu Akbar” – “God is great” – during the attack at the Home Office-approved asylum seekers’ accommodation.
While in a cell at Middlesbrough police station, Alid launched into a speech in Arabic saying that “Allah willing, Gaza would return to be an Arab country” and how he would have continued his “raid” if his hands had not been injured.
Following the murder, Alid told police he launched his attacks because “Israel had killed innocent children”.
Jonathan Sandiford KC, prosecuting, told the court: “In other words, he said he had committed the attempted murder of Javed Nouri and the murder of Mr Carney in revenge for what he believed to be the killing of children by Israel.”
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Sandiford added: “He swore by Allah that, if he had had a machine gun, and more weapons, he would have killed more victims.”
According to his housemates, Alid watched coverage of the Hamas attacks on Israel when he began carrying a knife.
Nouri told police that the killer had laughed when he saw Hamas kill its victims.
Complaints were made to housing bosses, the Home Office and to Cleveland Police about Alid's behaviour.
The court heard that a manager warned Alid to behave or risk being thrown out.
Ahmed Alid stabbed the 70-year-old to death in Hartlepool town centre early on October 15
PA
After the trial, Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: “The horrific attacks in Hartlepool were unprovoked and deeply disturbing.
“I have no doubt that the swift response of the attending officers prevented further harm or loss of life that morning.
“We’re grateful for their bravery in the face of a dangerous and unpredictable suspect.
“I’d also like to thank the people of Hartlepool for their calm and measured response to that day’s events and for the resilience they showed in the weeks that followed.”