A 15-YEAR-OLD boy who stabbed to death Alfie Lewis has been jailed for life.
Bardia Shojaeifard, 14 at the time, savagely stabbed Alfie, 15, with a 13cm knife outside a school in Horsforth, Leeds, last year.
Shojaeifard has today been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 13 years at Leeds Crown Court.
The tragedy unfolded “in full view” of horrified pupils at the junction of Church Road and Church Lane at around 3pm on November 7.
Alfie had been on his way to meet friends from Horsforth School, where he had previously been a student.
His actions have robbed Alfie of his future and left his family and friends absolutely devastated. No sentence will ever compensate them for their loss
Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson
The court heard from eyewitnesses how Shojaeifard approached his victim and launched the brutal attack without provocation.
They recalled seeing Alfie backing away while saying “chill out” and “what are you doing?” as Shojaeifard went for him.
The youngster was stabbed twice – once in the chest and once in the leg – with the chest wound fatally penetrating his heart and causing catastrophic bleeding.
He was pronounced dead at hospital a short time later.
After the chilling knifing, murderous teen Shojaeifard fled the scene.
Cops arrested him at his home around an hour later.
Alfie’s blood was then found on the knife, which Shojaeifard had stolen from his own kitchen and concealed on him throughout the school day.
The young lad’s DNA was also recovered from his attacker’s clothing.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police today confirmed: “Bardia Shojaeifard, who was 14 at the time of the murder and now 15, was convicted following a unanimous verdict by a jury at the conclusion of his trial at Leeds Crown Court on May 3.
“Today he was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 13 years.
“Alfie was attacked at the junction of Church Road and Church Lane, in Horsforth, shortly before 3pm on Tuesday, November 7, last year.
“He was stabbed twice – once in the chest and once in the leg – with the chest wound penetrating his heart and causing catastrophic bleeding. He was pronounced dead at hospital a short time later.”
The force spokesperson added: “The court was told of two previous incidents involving both boys – one in July where Alfie had intervened during a fight between Shojaeifard and another boy, and one on October 31 involving a bag of fireworks he was carrying.
“Shojaeifard said he was threatened by Alfie and feared for his life as a result of these incidents. He denied murder and claimed that he had acted in self-defence.
“But the jury discounted his claims and convicted him of murder.
“Shojaeifard had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a kitchen knife used in the incident.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson said: “Shojaeifard targeted Alfie in a premeditated and planned attack using murderous violence to end his young life, for which there can be no excuse or justification.
“His actions have robbed Alfie of his future and left his family and friends absolutely devastated. No sentence will ever compensate them for their loss.
“Shojaeifard will have the rest of his life to reflect on the terrible pain and heartache that his violent actions have caused Alfie’s family.”
The 15-year-old was convicted of Alfie’s murder at Leeds Crown Court in May earlier this year.
Alfie’s brother Antony spoke of Alfie’s “joy, love and humour” in a statement outside court after the verdict was read.
He added: “We would like to thank the jury for reaching what, to us, appears a sensible and obvious conclusion, that Alfie did not pose a threat to anyone around him, and his death was senseless.
“Our deepest thanks go to all those individuals who rushed to Alfie’s aid after he was attacked, who showed him love, care and compassion and tried to save his life.
“The only justice we would want is for Alfie to come home, to his mum and brother, and to us.
“Most of all we would like to say thank you to our Alfie, for giving us all your love, joy, and humour and making us smile every day in the 15 years we had to enjoy and love you.
“You are always in our hearts and our minds, and until we are all together again keep dancing in the sky our beautiful boy. We miss you and we love you, always.”
