🔗 Share this article Man Jailed for Minimum 23 Years for Killing Syrian-born Teenager in Huddersfield A individual has been sentenced to life with a minimum period of 23 years for the murder of a teenage Syrian refugee after the victim brushed past his companion in Huddersfield town centre. Trial Learns Particulars of Deadly Altercation The court in Leeds heard how the defendant, aged 20, stabbed the victim, sixteen, shortly after the young man passed his companion. He was declared guilty of homicide on last Thursday. The teenager, who had left conflict-ridden his Syrian hometown after being injured in a explosion, had been staying in the West Yorkshire town for only a short period when he crossed paths with his attacker, who had been for a meeting at the job center that day and was going to buy cosmetic adhesive with his girlfriend. Details of the Assault The court heard that Franco – who had taken marijuana, a stimulant drug, diazepam, an anesthetic and a painkiller – took “a minor offense” to the teenager “without malice” passing by his companion in the street. Surveillance tape showed the defendant uttering words to the victim, and calling him over after a quick argument. As Ahmad walked over, the individual opened the blade on a flick knife he was carrying in his trousers and drove it into the teenager's throat. Verdict and Sentencing Franco denied murder, but was judged guilty by a jury who deliberated for just over three hours. He admitted guilt to possessing a knife in a public place. While handing Franco his sentence on last Friday, the court judge said that upon observing the victim, the man “marked him as a victim and lured him to within your reach to assault before killing him”. He said the defendant's assertion to have seen a weapon in Ahmad’s waistband was “false”. He said of the victim that “it is a testament to the healthcare workers working to keep him alive and his will to live he even arrived at the hospital breathing, but in fact his trauma were unsurvivable”. Relatives Impact and Statement Reading out a declaration drafted by Ahmad’s uncle the family member, with help from his family, the prosecutor told the trial that the victim's parent had suffered a heart attack upon learning of the incident of his boy's killing, leading to an operation. “I am unable to describe the consequence of their terrible act and the influence it had over all involved,” the statement read. “The victim's mother still sobs over his belongings as they carry his scent.” He, who said Ahmad was dear to him and he felt ashamed he could not keep him safe, went on to explain that Ahmad had thought he had found “the land of peace and the realization of hopes” in the UK, but instead was “brutally snatched by the unnecessary and sudden attack”. “As Ahmad’s uncle, I will always feel responsible that Ahmad had traveled to England, and I could not keep him safe,” he said in a statement after the verdict. “Dear Ahmad we adore you, we miss you and we will continue always.” History of the Victim The court learned the victim had journeyed for three months to get to England from his home country, stopping in a shelter for teenagers in Swansea and studying in the Welsh city before moving to Huddersfield. The teenager had aspired to be a medical professional, motivated partly by a wish to support his parent, who suffered from a chronic medical issue.