Man given life sentence for fatal stabbing in Gloucester
Kidane Gebrehiwot suffered a single stab wound to his torso during the attack on Arthur Street in Gloucester
Last updated 29th Aug 2024
A man from Gloucester has been given a life sentence for the murder of Kidane Gebrehiwot.
Samwen Muiruri, aged 32 and of Trier Way in Gloucester, stabbed Gebrehiwot on the street in Gloucester during an argument.
At Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday (29th May) Judge Blair KC told Muiruri said he would serve a minimum of 25 years in prison.
Kidane Gebrehiwot, aged 55, suffered a single stab wound to his torso during the attack on Arthur Street in Gloucester at around 1am on Sunday 6th August 2023.
During the trial at Gloucester Crown Court, jurors heard how the two men, who had met each other on a previous occasion, had bumped in to each other by chance on the night.
CCTV footage secured as part of the investigation showed the men together on a number of streets before an argument took place on Eastgate Street.
Mr Gebrehiwot walked away and Muiruri walked to his home nearby. He picked up a knife and returned to confront Mr Gebrehiwot on the street outside his home.
Muiruri stabbed him once to the chest, fatally wounding him.
Mr Gebrehiwot collapsed at the scene and despite the best efforts of passers-by and emergency responders, died from his injuries.
Muiruri was arrested from his home address the following day.
He had denied his involvement throughout and at the end of the two week trial the jury found Muiruri guilty of both murder and possession of a knife in a public place.
In his closing statement Judge Blair KC said: "From what has emerged during the course of this trial I have heard how Kidane Gebrehiwot was a kind hearted man – in Amarinya: ‘Gebrehiwot’ means ‘Servant of Life’.
"I am sure that is what he was to his family."