A man has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 23 years after he murdered a Syrian refugee in Huddersfield town centre.

Alfie Franco, 20, from Crescent, Kirkburton stabbed Ahmad Mamdouh Al Ibrahim in the neck on 3 April 2025 in an ‘unprovoked attack’.

Franco was convicted of murder at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday 9 October. He denied murder but was found guilty by a jury.

Temporary Detective Superintendent Damian Roebuck, who led the investigation, said: “We welcome the sentencing of Franco for the dreadful and inexplicable murder of a teenager he had never met and who he had no quarrel with. 

“No sentence can ever bring back Ahmad but we hope seeing Franco jailed for many years today will bring some measure of comfort to a family who continue to grieve for his loss.”

During the trial, the jury heard that Ahmad, who had only been in Huddersfield for a few weeks, had been walking with a friend just before 2.45pm on Ramsden Street on 3 April when they came across Franco and a woman.  

CCTV footage showed Franco speaking to Ahmad, when just seconds later Franco could be seen reaching for the knife he used to stab the victim in the neck.

The court heard that Ahmad collapsed from blood loss, and later died in hospital from his injury.

Ahmad’s Uncle Ghazwan Al Ibrahim has issued the following statement.

He said: “Ahmad was just 16 years old when he was cruelly taken away by the senseless and unprovoked act committed by Franco.  

“He had travelled from Syria to the UK, and this was meant to be his opportunity to create a better life for himself, leaving behind his parents and siblings in a war-torn country.  

“His parents are heartbroken beyond words.  As Ahmad’s uncle, I will always carry the guilt that Ahmad had come to the UK, and I could not keep him safe.   

 “Ahmad we love you, we miss you and we will do forever.”