A double killer who sought asylum in the UK has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a man during a dispute over an e-scooter.
Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, 21, was found guilty earlier this week of killing 21-year-old Thomas Roberts in Bournemouth, Dorset, last year.
He will serve a minimum of 29 years.
Before jailing Abdulrahimzai to life, Judge Paul Dugdale said: “In seconds you took the life of a thoroughly decent man with a bright future who was loved greatly by so many people.
“Your momentary act of extreme, senseless violence has left a family with a tragic loss that they will feel for the rest of their lives.”
Mr Roberts had been acting as a “peacemaker” after his friend James Medway got into an argument with Abdulrahimzai over an e-scooter that was left outside a Subway sandwich shop in March.
Mr Roberts slapped Abdulrahimzai in the face during the 24-second confrontation.
Abdulrahimzai then revealed a knife he had hidden between the two pairs of trousers he was wearing and stabbed Mr Roberts twice before running away into nearby woodland.
He then buried the knife before burning the trousers, jacket and an Afghan flag he was wearing as a scarf.
Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Simon Huxter of Dorset Police said: “Tommy’s family and loved ones have suffered an unspeakable loss as a result of this horrific incident involving a knife.
“Matters relating to the defendant’s background and previous convictions have been shared with relevant agencies to ensure appropriate reviews are carried out and areas for learning are identified.”
Killer’s violent past went undetected
Abdulrahimzai claimed he fled his home country of Afghanistan after he was tortured by the Taliban and his parents were killed.
After the verdict was delivered, the court heard how he had previously been convicted of murdering two people in Serbia, as well as a related firearm offence.
A trial was held in his absence after he fled the country, and he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
He arrived in the UK after leaving the country, but his violent past went undetected, and he even managed to dupe officials into believing he was 14 – up to six years younger than his actual age.
He was placed in foster care upon his arrival, and one of his guardians had previously spotted him carrying a knife.
The Home Office said it will investigate the “red flags missed” and look at the full circumstances surrounding the case.
“Foreign national offenders who exploit our system and commit crimes here in the UK will face the full force of the law, including deportation at the earliest opportunity for those eligible,” a spokesman said.
“The government is committed to stopping abuse of the immigration system, taking decisive action against those who try to play the system.”
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