Skip to main content

Teen jailed for racially aggravated knife attack on Syrian refugee

TEENAGER Sean Gorman, who launched an unprovoked racist attack on a Syrian refugee, was jailed for more than eight years today.

The 18-year-old repeatedly stabbed Shabaz Ali at an Edinburgh hostel in the early hours of May 3 after confronting him over playing loud music.

Mr Ali fled to Scotland five years ago and was staying in the hostel temporarily as he looked for a new home when the “frenzied” attack took place.

His father said he could hear Mr Gorman shout: “Why are you still here, why are you not back in your own country?” before stabbing him six times with a lock knife and leaving the hostel in Upper Gilmore Place.

A court heard Mr Gorman, who was out on licence from a sentence for another violent knife attack at the time of the offence, was “hyper” after drinking most of a litre bottle of vodka and taking ecstasy and cocaine.

Having pleaded guilty to attempted murder last month, Mr Gorman returned to the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday where judge Lord Woolman handed him an extended sentence of 11 years and nine months for the racially aggravated attack.

Mr Gorman must serve seven years and nine months, followed by four years of supervision upon his release from custody. He was also ordered to serve a further 169 days of his 2017 sentence for assault to severe injury and the danger of life.

The judge told him: “You carried out a frenzied attack on a stranger, Mr Shabaz Ali. You stabbed him six times, five times in the upper chest.”

He added: “Without the urgent and expert hospital treatment he received, you could have faced a charge of murder.”

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 6,981
We need:£ 11,019
13 Days remaining
Donate today