Man, 21, who stabbed shopkeeper jailed
Al-Ahmed, 21, was sentenced to nine years in prison Credit: SWP
A man who stabbed a Cathays shopkeeper after he was caught trying to use a fake £50 note has been jailed.
Abdul-Rahman Al-Ahmed, 21, was sentenced to nine years in prison with an extended five years on licence on September 29 at Cardiff Crown Court.
He was charged with multiple offences including two counts of wounding with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray, possession of a bladed article and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Officer in the Case, Detective Constable Anthony Hurley, said: “Knife crime remains a top priority for South Wales Police, and we are committed to protecting our communities by tackling those who carry weapons and pose such serious risks to public safety.”
What happened?
In May, 2023, the then 17 year-old Al-Ahmed was living in Cardiff and had been charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine.
After failing to turn up at court to be sentenced a warrant was issued for his arrest.
In July 2023 while he was on the run from police, he stabbed a man multiple times in Dorset following a dispute over a watch.
On December 15, 2023, he tried to use a fake £50 note to buy crisps and a drink at the Unistop shop on Salisbury Road.
The shopkeeper explained that the note was fake, but Al-Ahmed insisted on being given change and an argument broke out.
As he was being ushered out of the shop, Al-Ahmed took a knife out of his coat pocket and stabbed the shopkeeper in the stomach and ran from the scene.
The shopkeeper was taken to hospital for a serious injury which required urgent surgery.
An investigation was launched and within hours the suspect was identified using the shop’s CCTV with retrospective facial recognition technology.
His fingerprints were also detected on the packet of crisps and a drink container which he had thrown on the floor of the shop.
Six days later, on December 22, officers arrested Al-Ahmed and he was identified by his victim while in custody at Cardiff Bay Police station.
DC Hurley added: Detective Constable Anthony Hurley, said: “This case also demonstrates how vital facial recognition technology is for policing.
“The lengthy custodial sentence handed down reflects the severity of his actions and sends a clear message to those who carry knives and use them that they can expect to be sent to prison for a long time.”
