Man sentenced to life for murdering Saymore T Kwashira in Leeds
Last updated 17th Nov 2025
A man has been sentenced to life in prison after murdering a man in Leeds. Saymore T Kwashira died after he was fatally stabbed by 18-year-old Romaine James with a machete at a flat in the Belle Isle area.
A Police statement said: "A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Saymore T Kwashira in Leeds.
"Romaine James, aged 18, of Reginald Mount, Leeds, was convicted last month following a trial at Leeds Crown Court. He appeared before the court today where he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years.
"He was also sentenced for a number of other matters, with these sentences due to run concurrently with the murder sentence. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment for possession of ammunition, 12 months for possession of a machete, two months for handling stolen goods and one month for criminal damage."
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, Senior Investigating Officer, said:
“Saymore was a young man who has lost his life in a senseless brutal attack. What seems to have started out as a meet up of friends and associates has ultimately taken a deadly turn when an argument has turned violent.
“This incident shows the absolutely devastating impact that carrying weapons such as machetes can have. More than one family has been ripped apart by James’ choice to use the extreme levels of violence that he did that night.”