Moment brothers leave alleyway after fatal stabbing of Stafford man, 21, in ‘brutal, calculated attack’

CCTV shows brothers leaving an alleyway after fatally stabbing a 21-year-old Stafford man.

Tayyab Hussain, 27, and Ezaan Hussain, 22, both of Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent, both pleaded guilty to the murder of Thapelo Jali in Normacot in July 2024 during the trial at Loughborough Crown Court on July 7 and 9 2025 respectively.

Tuheed Hussain, 24, also of Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of manslaughter by the jury at the conclusion of the trial on August 4.

Tayyab was sentenced to 21 years and 351 days’ imprisonment, Ezaan was jailed for 20 years and 353 days and Tuheed was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment.

There was a dispute between the victim, 21-year-old Thapelo Jali, from Stafford, and Tuheed Hussain. On July 20, 2024, there was a collision involving the occupants of a VW T-Roc, registered to Thapelo’s girlfriend, and a Honda Civic, driven by Tuheed. The following day, July 21, Tuheed and Ezaan damaged the VW T-Roc, smashing the windows.

Later, on July 21, Thapelo went to the Normacot area of Stoke-on-Trent. CCTV showed Thapelo running into an alleyway, which ran between Hamilton Road and Buccleuch Road, at 11.47pm and four seconds later, Tayaab and Ezaan Hussain got out of a car driven by Tuheed and went into the alleyway. There they met Thapelo Jali and repeatedly stabbed him.

Tayaab and Ezaan were seen on CCTV leaving the alleyway at Hamilton Road, where they were collected by the car still driven by Tuheed.

Thapelo was found in the alleyway a short time later just after 12.30am on July 22. He had been stabbed multiple times. Sadly, he died just after 1.10am at the scene.

Thapelo Jali’s family say they “want for no other family to have to experience the level of pain that we have, and continue, to endure”

In a statement, Thapelo’s family said: “We love and miss Thapelo and his death has left an unmeasurable void in the lives of us who love him so dearly.

“When the officers came to tell us about Thapelo’s death, their words changed our lives forever. That morning, little did we know that our lives were now changed, beyond anything that we could ever imagine.

“The stark reality of Thapelo’s death was something that quickly absorbed our family, devastating us completely, as the days, weeks and months have passed.

“One young life was taken in the most tragic and cruel set of circumstances, yet many lives have been ruined through the ripples of devastation caused by these dreadful events.

“I hope that in some small way, my words help to discourage the epidemic of knife crime that has taken my son from his family at such a young age. I want for no other family to have to experience the level of pain that we have, and continue, to endure.”

Detective Superintendent Cheryl Hannan says “This was a brutal and calculated attack” and “highlights the tragic consequences of carrying a knife”

Detective Superintendent Cheryl Hannan of Staffordshire Police said: “Our thoughts remain with Thapelo’s family and friends.

“This was a brutal and calculated attack. This highlights the tragic consequences of carrying a knife and conflict between groups.”