Luton teenager handed rehabilitation order for manslaughter of 63-year-old man

A teenager who carried out knife attack which left a man with fatal injuries has been handed youth rehabilitation order. 

The 17-year-old from Luton, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of manslaughter last month after Ghulam Raja, 63, died from his injuries in hospital.

The incident occurred on 15 November 2021, when the boy, who was 16 at the time, stabbed Mr Raja, from Bolton, four times in the head and leg following an argument at an address in Dorrington Close, Luton.

Mr Raja was taken to hospital for treatment but died five days later.

A video of the injured victim was posted to the boy's Snapchat account and a minute after uploading it, he called police.

During the trial, the boy admitted stabbing the man but said he was defending himself and another person and that he had no intention to cause serious harm.

Following a two-week trial at Luton Crown Court in November, the boy was found guilty of manslaughter and yesterday (Monday) was sentenced at the same court to a 12-month Youth Rehabilitation Order with intensive supervision and surveillance. The judge took into account the amount of time he had already spent on remand while awaiting trial when passing sentence.

Detective Inspector Richard Stott, who led the investigation, said: "This is a tragic case which sadly resulted in the death of a man and once again is a stark reminder of the danger of knives.

"The teenager has already served time behind bars, and he will start his 12-month Youth Rehabilitation Order with intensive supervision and surveillance, steering him away from any future criminality.

"Knife crime has become a big issue; both in Bedfordshire and across wider society, and it is important that we continue to work with partners to reduce the threat of knife crime and the impact it has on communities."