Two teenagers have been convicted of murdering a Polish man following an act of random violence in a street in Handsworth.
The jury at Birmingham Crown Court also found Abdullah Atiqzoy, defended by Mark Heywood QC, and Saddam Essakhil guilty of attempted murder.
Atiqzoy, 18, of Elizabeth Crescent, Oldbury and Essakhil, of Hob Moor Road, Small Heath, had both denied the charges.
Feizullah Atiqzoy, 24, Swan Crescent, Oldbury, had denied but was convicted of a charge of assisting an offender.
Mr Furmanek came across his attackers while walking along Grove Lane in the early hours on May 31 after visiting a Polish nightclub with his friend Radoslaw Dudek.
Both victims suffered multiple stab wounds. Mr Furmanek died from his injuries, while Mr Dudek was left clinging to life and was only saved by “heroic” medical efforts.
John Butterfield QC, prosecuting, said that the cause of the violence was a mystery but that it was ‘completely unprovoked and unjustified’.
“It was also extremely quick.
“It took merely something like 31 seconds for the defendants to meet Mr Furmanek and take his life and leave his friend at death’s door.
He described the defendents as “pumped up” and “aggressive”.
Sentence was adjourned on all three defendants, who were remanded in custody, until January 15, when, in the cases of Abdullah Atiqzoy and Essakhil, the judge will pass a life sentence and decide the minimum term they must serve before being considered for release.
To read the full story, click here to visit the Birmingham Mail site.
Click here to visit John Butterfield QC’s profile and click here for Mark Heywood QC.
