Grieving mum from Luton calls for tougher sentences for those carrying knives
Fiona Namusoke's 16-year-old son was fatally stabbed in September 2023
A mum from Luton who lost her 16-year-old son to knife crime is calling for longer sentences for those carrying knives.
Fiona Namusoke hopes tougher rules will act as a deterrent for young people and potentially save someone’s life.
Her son, Ashraf Habimana was stabbed to death in September 2023 after a fight after school escalated. Seven teenagers were sentenced in connection with the incident, with one receiving a life sentence for murder.
The story of Ashraf’s death featured in last night’s 24 Hours in Police Custody episode from Channel 4 which exposed the online trade of zombie-style knives.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Fiona said: “I lost somebody very special to me and it's the worst of my life”.
Ms Namusoke says she hopes the documentary encourages people to think twice about carrying a knife and the fatal consequences it could have.
She said: “If one child watches me and sees how devastated me and my family are, and I can change their mind, even if it's one child, that would make a difference in my life.
“This affects everybody, so if somebody can think twice about carrying a knife and about the repercussion that it will leave the parents, or even their own parents, that would make a difference.”
Fiona also highlighted that “more is needed to be done” to deter young people from carrying knives and consequently possibly prevent a life being lost.
“If there is a longer sentence to be served then people would be scared and at least think before carrying a knife.
“If a person knows they're just going to get five years or three years in prison then they're not bothered, but if somebody thinks I might go to prison for 20 years, they might think more about it.”
She continued: “No sentence can bring him back, but as long as we make a difference and one person does not do it, that will make a change. At least another child is not going to die because of a knife.”