Jury starts deliberations in Cosham attempted murder trial as co-defendants deny trying to kill Afghan man
Abdul and Attiquallah Shinwari - who are not related - both deny attempted murder.
The jury in an attempted murder trial has retired to consider its verdict.
Abdul and Attiquallah Shinwari are on trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, accused of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm after a stabbing in Hawthorn Crescent on March 12 this year. The former is also charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place. They both deny all charges.
Abdul, 20 from Alma Road, Southampton, was a student at the Highbury campus of the City of Portsmouth College at the time. Attiquallah, 23 from 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) alleges 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.
Today (Thursday, October 1), Judge James Newton-Price summarised the case before sending the jury out to begin deliberations.
Throughout the trial, the court has heard how a brawl broke out at the junction of Hawthorn Crescent and Portsmouth Road, Cosham, after a falling-out between students.
Sefatullah Ibrahimkhel was with a couple of friends, including Omid Mohammedi, who appraoched Abdul Shinwari, Attiquallah Shinwari and their friends across the road, outside Cinnibar Studios. A fight broke out, during which Mr Ibrahimkhel was stabbed in the leg, severing an artery that needed immediate and significant surgery to save his life.
The core disputes of the case are who attacked who, and whether the stabbing of Mr Ibrahimkhel was intentional. Russell Pyne, prosecuting, told the court that Attiquallah Shinwari was asked to “hold” him, while Abdul Shinwari stuck the knife in.
DNA from a knife blade at the scene matched that of Mr Ibrahimkhel, the victim. The handle was found near Cosham Railway Station, with DNA that “likely” matched Abdul Shinwari.
Keely Harvey and Francisca Da Costa, defending Abdul and Attiqualah Shinwari, said instead that Mr Ibrahimkhel and his friends started the altercation, brandishing sticks as they set upon the defendants. In their version of events, a knife was produced by someone, which ended up unintentionally slashing Mr Ibrahimkhel.
The jury has left the courtroom, and will return once they have reached a verdict.
(Proceeding)