Exclusive:Jury in attempted murder trial reach a verdict after man was stabbed in Cosham
Abdul and Attiquallah Shinwari - who are not related - both denied charges of attempted murder.
The jury in an attempted murder trial has reached a verdict.
Abdul and Attiquallah Shinwari have been on trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, accused of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm after a stabbing in Hawthorn Crescent, Cosham, on March 12 this year. The former was also charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place. They both denied all charges.
Abdul, 20 of Alma Road, Southampton, was a student at the Highbury campus of the City of Portsmouth College at the time. Attiquallah, 23 of St Helen's Parade, Southsea, had previously studied there. The two are not related, but appeared in the dock together.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) alleged that they were part of a group of six that attacked Sefatullah Ibrahimkhel and a friend - although they are the only two who face charges. The victim sustained a knife wound to his leg, which severed an artery and required immediate, life-saving surgery.
On Thursday, October 1, Judge James Newton-Price sent the jury out of the courtroom to begin deliberations. On the morning of Friday, October 2, he told the jury he would now accept majority verdicts, rather than the jury being unanimous.
He said: "I shall ask you to continue considering your verdicts. I would ask you to all agree but if you cannot, I may now accept a verdict of which fewer than 12 of you agree - guilty or not guilty.
"I can accept it if 10 of you are in agreement."
The jury returned at 11.34am, having reached a majority verdict for all counts.
On all charges, the jury found both Abdul and Attiquallah Shinwari not guilty, and the pair will now be dismissed from the court.
Concluding the case, Judge Newton-Price said: “The defendants can now be discharged. Members of the jury, can I thank you for the time and attention you have given to this case.”
Abdul Shinwari wept in the dock as the verdicts were read out in court, while Attiquallah Shinwari sat almost motionless, but smiled as they left the courtroom.