Man sentenced after fleeing UK following fatal stabbing

A man who fled the UK after fatally stabbing a teenager has been sentenced to 22 years' imprisonment following a two-and-a-half-year international manhunt.

Ishmael Farquharson, 34, of Porchester Drive, Birmingham, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court today (17 September 2025) for the manslaughter of 16-year-old Sekou Doucoure. The jury convicted Farquharson of manslaughter on Friday 13 September 2025 after being charged with murder.

Farquharson fled the UK immediately after fatally stabbing the teenager on 12 July 2022. Police later identified his involvement and tracked him down to Spain, where he was arrested on 23 January 2025 and extradited for trial.

In March 2023, Pierre Thomas and Fardi Jafal were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced for their roles in Sekou’s death.

Sekou Doucoure, who had moved to the UK with his family from Spain in 2015, was fatally stabbed on Nursery Road, Hockley, Birmingham during a violent confrontation between rival gangs from different areas of Birmingham which included Ishmael Farquharson, Pierre Thomas and Fardi Jafal.

The court heard Thomas fired a blank-firing handgun twice at Sekou, who fled. The three men then searched for Sekou. When Farquharson found him, a fight ensued during which he stabbed Sekou in the chest.

The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with West Midlands Police, the National Crime Agency and Spanish authorities to build a compelling case against Farquharson using CCTV evidence and mobile phone data.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Douglas Marshall said: "Sekou Doucoure's death is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of knife crime, and today his killer has been brought to justice.

"This case demonstrates that no matter how much time passes or how far suspects flee, the Crown Prosecution Service will work with partners to bring offenders to justice. Farquharson may have thought distance and time would protect him, but this case shows that offenders cannot escape justice by fleeing abroad.

"Our thoughts remain with Sekou's family and loved ones, who have shown tremendous dignity throughout this lengthy legal process."