Man jailed for life for Bournemouth e-scooter murder
21 year-old Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai will serve a minimum of 29 years
Last updated 25th Jan 2023
An Afgham asylum seeker has been sentenced to life, with a minimum term of 29 years, after stabbing a man to death in Bournemouth.
Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, 21, who had previously been convicted of murder in Serbia - was found guilty on Monday (23rd January) of the murder of 21-year-old Thomas Roberts last March, outside a sandwich shop on Old Christchurch Road.
During sentencing at Salisbury Crown Court, Judge Paul Dugdale told Abdulrahimzai:
"You spent 26 seconds of your life with him, at the end of which you stabbed him fatally with a large knife you routinely carried with you. You started the conflict and throughout you were the threatening aggressor.
"You took the life of a thoroughly decent man who was loved by so many people. Your momentary act of extremely senseless violence has left a family with a tragic loss that they will feel for the rest of their lives."
Victim impact statements read out
Earlier today, a statement from the victim's mother was read out in court. In it, she said:
"My heart bleeds and I'm broken-hearted, knowing you are not hear any more. I will always have this emptiness. I miss your care and miss your visits. I miss your beautiful face, I miss your cuddles and hugs. I miss you son with all my heart."
Tom's father spoke in court:
"He was my only son and now he has been taken away from here. I miss him every day and every minute."
Tom's girlfriend, Gemma Walker, said:
"Waking up to be told he’d been stabbed was the worst thing I could have imagined. I didn’t get to say goodbye, I didn’t even get to say I love you one more time. My world, my life and my purpose has been ripped away."
The court heard that Abdulrahimzai stabbed Mr Roberts twice and then fled into nearby woodland after Mr Roberts tried to intervene in a dispute between a friend of his and the defendant over an e-scooter.
After delivering its verdict, the jury was told that Abdulrahimzai had previously been convicted of murder following a trial in Serbia and sentenced to 20 years in prison in his absence.
The defendant, who arrived in the UK in December 2019, told the authorities at the time of his arrest that he was 16 but it was determined at Salisbury Crown Court that his true age now is 21.
Dorset Police reaction
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Huxter, of the Major Crime Investigation Team at Dorset Police, said:
“Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Thomas Roberts and I want to thank them again for the dignified way they have conducted themselves throughout the investigation and court proceedings.
“I would also like to thank all those from Dorset Police and the prosecution team from the Crown Prosecution Service, who have worked tirelessly to achieve justice for Tommy and his family.
“Tommy’s family and loved ones have suffered an unspeakable loss as a result of this horrific incident involving a knife. If you believe someone is in immediate possession of a knife or offensive weapon, please dial 999. If you would like to report your concerns about a knife carrier or need some advice, please call 101 or visit dorset.police.uk and report it online.
“Matters relating to the defendant’s background and previous convictions have been shared with relevant agencies to ensure appropriate reviews are carried out and areas for learning are identified. However, my focus over the past nine months as senior investigating officer has been to gather evidence relating to the brutal murder of Thomas Roberts and ensure his killer was brought to justice for this offence.”