Five 15-year-old boys have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Jacob Abraham, a 15-year-old rival, in a gang-related attack described as 'medieval-style torture'. The teenagers, members of the Albany Park (AP) gang, stabbed Jacob eight times in the legs and once in the arm in an alleyway behind his home in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, on 7 December 2017.
The court heard that the attack was a 'punishment mission' ordered by older gang members to enforce discipline within their county lines drug operation. Three of the boys changed out of their school uniforms before luring Jacob to the scene. He tried to flee but collapsed from his injuries and was found dying by his brother.
Judge Mr Justice Edis lifted anonymity orders to name the killers: Kai Fisher-Dixon, Shuayb Mahomud, Tremayne Gray, Omarion Stephens and Abdulqaliq Mohamed. They were sentenced to minimum terms ranging from 12 to 14 years. The judge stated that the attack aimed to inflict 'serious pain and humiliation' but not death, though the victim died from a wound to the thigh causing massive bleeding.
Jacob's mother described him as a 'normal and happy child' who enjoyed boxing and was studying horticulture. She said the family's lives have been ruined, adding, 'We will never get to see Jacob again.' The judge emphasised the public interest in naming the offenders to deter other youths from gang involvement.
