Life sentence for Redfield man over fatal stabbing in Bristol's Castle Park
Ronaldo Griffiths, who is 20 and from Osprey Road in Redfield has been found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court following the incident on January 31
A man has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 23 years behind bars after being found guilty of murder following a stabbing in the centre of Bristol.
Ronaldo Griffiths, who is 20 and from Osprey Road in Redfield, has been in court after a jury agreed he stabbed 36-year-old Adam Ali Ibrahim once in the chest with a machete.
Today, he was unanimously found guilty at Bristol Crown Court of Ibrahim's murder following the incident in Castle Park on January 31.
He was also found guilty unanimously of attempted wounding with intent of Ahmed Osman. He had previously pleaded guilty to being in possession of a bladed article.
Griffiths was also handed a five-year sentence for attempt grievous bodily harm and 18 months for possessing a bladed article, both to be served concurrently.
Mr Ibrahim died from a single stab wound to his chest, the court heard.
He was found in Fairfax Street after walking from Castle Park where he had been attacked by Griffiths at around 4.20pm.
He was helped by his friends to seek help, but made it as far as Fairfax Street before collapsing and then being taken to hospital by ambulance where he later died at around 9.45pm.
Prosecutor Anna Vigars KC said: “Griffiths took Mr Ibrahim’s phone out of his pocket which, unsurprisingly, caused him to protest and shout.
“Ahmed Osman got the phone back for Mr Ibrahim and Griffiths reacted by whipping out a knife and tried to stab Mr Osman. He didn’t make any contact, but did cause damage to his (Mr Osman’s) coat.
“Ronaldo then swung the knife at Mr Ibrahim, stabbing him in the chest.”
Griffiths fleed the park on bike and was pursued by Mr Osman.
Ms Vigars added: “Even if Griffiths didn’t know at that stage that he had killed Adam Ibrahim, he must have been aware that he had just been involved in an extremely serious incident, one which would surely have consequences.”
DCI Simon Dewfall, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “This has been a long and intense investigation, with many hours spent pouring over CCTV to trace and retrace the steps of Griffiths and Mr Ibrahim.
“Griffiths knew what he was doing that day, he knew the risks associated with carrying a knife and he chose to strike out first at Mr Osman, and then again at Mr Ibrahim.
“The work of the team has led to this prosecution and I would like to publicly thank them for their hours of hard work.
“Griffiths will now spend a large proportion of his life behind bars, thinking about what he has done and the life he has taken.
“My condolences continue to be with Mr Ibrahim’s loved ones at this time as they continue to adjust to a world without him in it.”
Sentencing, His Honour Judge Hart told Griffiths he took a knife to the scene and disregarded his defence that he had ‘collected the knife moments before from a friend’.
He added:“I am satisfied this was entirely due to your foolish behaviour. He was a blameless victim. You took his mobile phone, some abuse was directed towards you and you lost your temper.
“You are a habitually violent young man. You pulled out the fearsome weapon which you carried in your bag. It was your knife, carried by you, for an offensive purpose as the need arose.
“This was a shocking incident which occurred in daylight in Castle Park, which would have had an impact on this community.”
Alongside Griffiths, his co-defendant, a 24-year-old from Kingsdown, was also found not guilty of assisting an offender.