Asylum seeker guilty of murder over e-scooter in Bournemouth
21-year-old Tom Roberts was stabbed while trying to intervene in a dispute
Last updated 23rd Jan 2023
An Afghan asylum seeker who stabbed a man to death following an argument over a scooter in Bournemouth has been found guilty of murder.
Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai killed 21-year-old Thomas Roberts outside a Subway sandwich shop in March last year.
Abdulrahimzai had previously admitted manslaughter, but the jury at Salisbury Crown Court took 12 hours to find him guilty of murder on Monday (23rd January) with a majority verdict.
It's now been revealed that Abdulrahimzai has previously been convicted of murder in Serbia, and drug dealing in Italy.
What happened?
Mr Roberts was acting as the "peacemaker" in the early hours of March 12, 2022 after his friend James Medway got into an argument with Abdulrahimzai.
Mr Medway wanted to take an e-scooter Abdulrahimzai had claimed for himself and left propped against the window of the shop on Old Christchurch Road.
The confrontation, which lasted only 24 seconds, saw Mr Roberts slap Abdulrahimzai in the face.
Abdulrahimzai then revealed the knife he had hidden between the two pairs of trousers he was wearing and stabbed Mr Roberts twice before running away into nearby woodland.
He buried the knife in the woodland before burning the trousers, jacket, and Afghan flag he was wearing as a scarf.
However he dropped his mobile phone as he fled and it was traced to his home address.
Abdulrahimzai, who lived in Poole at the time of the offence, arrived in the UK in December 2019 and told the authorities he was 16 when he was arrested, but the court has since determined that he is now 21.
In his defence, Abdulrahimzai said he had no intention to kill or cause really serious harm to Mr Roberts - he "acted instinctively", said he "feared for his life", and felt he had to defend himself.
The court heard his parents had been killed and he had been tortured by the Taliban so he carried a knife for his own protection.
Abdulrahimzai will be sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Wednesday (25th January).
Dorset Police reaction
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Huxter, of MCIT, said:
“First and foremost our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Thomas Roberts. Nothing will ever make up for their tragic loss and I would like to pay tribute to them for the dignified way they have conducted themselves throughout the investigation and court process. I also pay tribute to those that came to Tommy’s aid in the aftermath of the incident.
“We have worked tirelessly to compile evidence to secure a conviction for this senseless murder and I would like to thank my investigation team and all those who worked on this case. I would also like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service and the prosecution team for their professionalism, expertise and dedication in achieving justice for Tommy and his family.
“This case serves as another reminder of the truly devastating consequences of knife crime. Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai’s decision to go out in possession of a knife on the night of this murder and his utterly indefensible decision to use that weapon has seen a much-loved young man’s life cruelly taken away.
“Dorset Police remains committed to doing all it can to combat knife crime so we can prevent future tragedies such as this, but we need the public’s help to do so. 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. Dorset Police will always relentlessly pursue those that are responsible for senseless tragedies such as this.”
Tributes to victim Tom
The family of Tom Roberts have released a statement, following the guilty verdict.
They've said:
"The family of Thomas Roberts cannot describe the loss of their son, brother, partner, friend in the tragic circumstances of his violent and unnecessary death. Thomas was loved by many people and continues to be loved in his absence.
"He was a bright young man with a sense humour. Active sportsman and loved his DJing in his spare time.
"He had a potentially fulfilling future to look forward to, whether that be in his profession of precision engineer or his potential in the military.
"Thomas was a normal kind person, who had enjoyed life. On the night of his tragic death, he was in town with friends having good time when he was suddenly involved in an incident involving a large knife that cost him his life. The family would like this to be a warning to everyone not to carry knives so other families do not suffer in the way we as a family are suffering now."