This is the first time the full story of a tragic murder case is revealed

His killers, Alkhader Qasem and Ishaaq Mia, both 16 at the time, are now convicted murderers. They’ll spend years in prison and be supervised for life. Until recently, their identities were kept secret because of their age, but now we can finally talk about how they ended up here.
Qasem lived in Rusholme and was once a bright student. He had potential but started struggling as a teenager. He was put on the special educational needs register and eventually got suspended from school multiple times. His life took a turn for the worse when he started hanging out with a new crowd and using cannabis.
On April 4, 2024, Qasem stabbed Prince during a confrontation in Moss Side. It all started when Prince punched him, and Qasem decided to retaliate with deadly force. He claimed he was scared of Prince because of past encounters, but the judge noted he brought a knife with him that day, ready to use it.
Mia, who didn’t stab Prince but chased him down, was also found guilty of murder for supporting Qasem. He came from a loving home but faced his own struggles as a teen, including being a victim of violence.
In a twist, Mia’s mother, Saima Habib, was also in trouble. She was found guilty of trying to hide evidence related to the murder. Despite her good reputation in the community, she was sentenced to community service instead of jail, as the judge felt it would harm her family too much.
This tragic case highlights the serious issue of knife crime and how it affects young lives. Both boys were sentenced to long terms in detention, and it’s a stark reminder of the challenges we face in preventing such violence in our communities.