Todmorden News

Teenager's Killers Sentenced

The three men accused of attacking and killing local teenager Alex Holroyd have each received custodial sentences totaling 20 years. During the trial, Leeds Crown Court heard that this vicious attack on Mr. Holroyd had been premeditated, and that on the night of the assault, he had been hunted down through the streets of Todmorden by his attackers. The 19 year old was left fighting for his life with severe facial lacerations and a 16cm stab wound which punctured his lung. Mr. Holroyd died from his injuries at 2am the following day.

The trial also revealed that one of the three attackers, Hanif Mohammed, had paid the others Assar and Thompson £250 to assault Mr. Holroyd.

A statement from Marion Best, Mr. Holroyd’s grandmother, was read to the court which said: “ I can’t comprehend how this could happen. His death is a tragedy.”

Hanif Mohammed was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for manslaughter, while Yohannis Thompson, and Mohammed Assar each received six and four year sentences respectively for conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. Stacey Metcalfe, Mr Holroyd’s girlfriend described the sentences as a disgrace.