Man who murdered friend is jailed

Bashir Muhumed has never explained why he attacked his friend

A 23-year-old man who stabbed his friend to death and turned the knife on himself in a bid to claim self-defence has been jailed for life.

Bashir Awil Muhumed will spend at least 20 years in jail for killing Saeed Hassan at a house in Hulme, Manchester.

He had claimed self-defence throughout the trial at Manchester Crown Court but the jury found him guilty on Friday.

Supt Vincent Chadwick said: "He was a friend of Saeed, but he violently attacked and killed him."

The court heard that a witness had been on the phone to the victim as he was attacked by Muhumed.

She told police that she had been talking to him when suddenly she heard him shout "stop, stop".

Saeed's family are totally devastated by the loss of their brother Supt Vincent Chadwick

Saeed Hassan and Muhumed, who are both originally from Somalia and were friends, would often socialise at Mr Hassan's flat in Bronte Street, Hulme which he shared with a third man, Ahmed Shidi.

The court heard that on 7 January 2009, Muhumed met Saeed and Ahmed at The Dubay Caffe, and went back to the flat.

The three of them watched television before Mr Shidi left to go shopping.

'Vicious assault'

When he returned he found the Mr Hassan bleeding profusely and seriously injured. His killer was also bleeding but just mouthed the word "ambulance" at him when he asked what had happened.

When the emergency services arrived they found Mr Hassan dead at the scene.

The jury heard that further investigation into Muhumed's injuries revealed he had stabbed himself and tried to claim he was attacked first.

Speaking after the verdict, Supt Chadwick added: "Muhumed claimed to be acting in self defence, but this conviction proves otherwise.

"He has repeatedly refused to accept what he has done.

"For whatever reason he violently attacked and killed him and we may never know exactly what prompted such a vicious assault.

"Saeed's family are totally devastated by the loss of their brother."