Teenage pair jailed for life for savage Handsworth murder
Two teenagers have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a Polish man who was stabbed to death in a brutal street attack.
Abdullah Atiqzoy, aged 18, and Sadam Khan Essakhil, 16, were told they had ruined their young lives.
Lukasz Furmanek, aged 24, was killed and Radoslaw Dudek left clinging to life following the 'savage and inexcusable' attack in May.
Atiqzoy, of Elizabeth Crescent, Oldbury, and Essakhil, of Hobmoor Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, were each found guilty of murder and attempted murder last month.
Atiqzoy will spend at least 26 years behind bars while Essakhil will serve at least 19 years.
The two victims were stabbed in Grove Lane, Handsworth, in May last year after being approached by the teenagers.
Atiqzoy and Essakhil, who can be named after reporting restrictions were lifted, had denied the charges but were found guilty following a trial.
The trial had heard how the two victims were stabbed in a 'chilling' and random act of violence.
Detective Inspector Jim Munro, from West Midlands Police homicide team, was pleased with the jail terms.
He said: "I welcome the fact that two very dangerous men have been jailed for life.
"And while this cannot bring Lukasz back, I am sure the long sentences goes some way to comforting his family and friends including Radoslaw who was seriously injured.
"I am also satisfied that Feizollah has been punished for his misplaced loyalty in trying to protect his brother."
The two groups had only crossed paths seconds before the Atiqzoy and Essakhil launched into their brutal attack.
Mr Dudek was stabbed nine times. He staggered away and collapsed in the road but miraculously managed to survive.
Mr Furmanek was stabbed twice as he lay on the ground after being punched. A witness saw Atiqzoy sitting on the victim before plunging the knife into him with both hands.
Doctors carried out open heart surgery as he lay in the road but despite their efforts he could not be saved.
The Crown said Atiqzoy and Essakhil had acted as a 'joint enterprise' and that both intended to kill. Judge Patrick Thomas QC told them: "Your use of knives was savage and inexcusable."
Before sentencing, Birmingham Crown Court heard how Abtiqzoy showed no remorse for his actions.
He added: "Whatever may happen, your young lives are ruined and I am sure that your families will regret to the end of their days what you did on that terrible night."
Feizullah Atiqzoy, 24, of Swan Crescent, Oldbury, was jailed for four years for assisting an offender. He had tried to help his brother flee to France after the attack. He was found in the back of a lorry in Kent.
