HARTLEPOOL, ENGLAND – A Moroccan asylum seeker was found guilty of murder on Thursday for fatally stabbing a 70-year-old pensioner in Hartlepool, a town in northeastern England. Ahmed Alid, 45, carried out the attack on Terence Carney in October 2023, citing the conflict in Gaza as his motivation for the violence.
During the trial at Teesside Crown Court, it was revealed that Alid shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he repeatedly stabbed his housemate, Javed Nouri, a Christian convert, and later attacked two police officers. Alid admitted to police that he targeted his victims because of the ongoing conflict in Gaza – specifically pointing to Israel’s actions as the reason behind his violence.
Prosecutors informed the court that Alid expressed his desire for Palestine to be free from Israel, referring to Carney as an “innocent victim” caught in the crossfire. He voiced his belief that Britain’s involvement in creating Israel warranted retaliation, leading to the fatal attack on the elderly man.
The violent incident, rooted in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, not only resulted in Carney’s death but also left the local community in shock. Cleveland Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Victoria Fuller mentioned that Alid’s actions caused significant fear and distress among residents in Hartlepool and beyond, highlighting the broader impact of the tragic event.
The jury unanimously convicted Alid of murder, attempted murder of Nouri, and assaulting the two police officers. His sentencing is scheduled for May 17, where the court will determine the consequences for his deadly actions. Alid’s case serves as a grim reminder of how global conflicts can have dire consequences that ripple through local communities, leaving families devastated and neighborhoods on edge.