Man is found guilty of killing 16-year-old on petrol station forecourt in case featured on TV's 'Crimewatch'
A man who went on the run for three years after the killing of a teenager in Birmingham has been found guilty for his part in the fatal stabbing.
Ishmael Farquharson vanished after the killing of Sekou Doucoure, prompting repeated West Midlands Police appeals to track him down. The case was even featured on BBC Crimewatch after Sekou was brutally killed in broad daylight on July 12, 2022.
At around 6pm that evening Sekou was riding an electric scooter along Villa Street with a friend on an electric bike.
As they approached Farm Street, in Hockley, Pierre Thomas who was aged 18 at the time, and on a mountain bike pointed at them.
Sekou turned to ride towards him, but Thomas pulled a gun from his bag, just as Fardi Jafal and another man joined them, one with a knife and the other with a gun. Sekou, also armed with a knife, managed to run away as shots rang out. As he fled, Farquharson, then aged 34, joined the offenders and chased after Sekou on Thomas’ mountain bike.
Sekou hid for around 20 minutes and then made his way to Burbury Street, where Farquharson caught up with him. Both were armed with knives and a scuffle ensued ending on a petrol station forecourt where Sekou received a fatal stab wound to his chest.
Armed police officers had responded to the shots fired in Villa Street and were already searching the area when they were flagged down by members of the public.
They raced to the garage forecourt and immediately started first aid, but sadly Sekou could not be saved.
A meticulous investigation began involving viewing hours of CCTV to plot the movements of those believed to have been involved.
Warrants were conducted at the homes of Thomas and Jafal and the CCTV helped to plot their movements along with Farquharson’s on the day Sekou was killed.
It became clear early on that Farquharson had fled the country. Countless press appeals were issued, a Crimestoppers reward was put up and a number of appeals featured on Crimewatch.
Detectives alongside the National Crime Agency had worked tirelessly to find and arrest Farquharson - and in January that happened when he was apprehended in Spain.
On Friday (September 12) at Birmingham Crown Court he was found guilty of manslaughter and of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.
At a trial in 2023 Pierre Thomas and Fardi Jafal were found guilty of manslaughter and possession of an imitation firearm with intent on causing fear of violence. They were jailed for nine years.
Detective Superintendent Laura Harrison, from West Midlands Police's Major Crime Unit, said: “I also want to thank Sekou’s family for their patience throughout this investigation. Although this verdict won’t bring Sekou back, I hope it finally brings them some peace.
“There are very serious consequences for carrying a knife. By carrying one, you are not only putting other people at risk, but you are also putting yourself at risk.
“We can all play a part in changing attitudes towards carrying knives and weapons and our work continues with schools, charities and our partners to do this.”
Speaking previously in tribute to Sekou hsi family said: “Sekou was a 16-year-old boy who loved his family and loved football. He gave a different perspective on life and inspired people around him to be the best they can be and to follow whatever religion they wanted.
“He was quite talented in many regards when it came to his academics and especially when it came to sports and football. Despite his shortcomings everybody that was close to him can vouch for the fact that he would help anyone that was around him despite the severity of the problem and the extent to which it could affect him negatively. Words cannot truly express what kind of person he was.
“He was a good boy and son who would do anything for anyone. He is sorely missed by all the family particularly his sisters, brother and mom.”
Farquharson will be sentenced on Wednesday (September 17).
