The family of a young insurance worker fatally stabbed as he inspected a van in Wednesbury have paid tribute to ‘his most beautiful personality’ and kind person.
Abdi Mohamed was just 26, when Moses Smith inflicted the unprovoked attack on him at just after midday on 8 June, 2021 – even though he barely knew him.
Scarcity was contacted by a friend of the victim after previous coverage on the channel he explained Abdi was a fan of the channel and recommended it to all his friends.
He went on to say that the family were not happy with the trial and claims from the defence.
Smith had claimed there was damage to his van which was parked on Upper High Street, in a ploy to get Mr Mohamed outside, where he then stabbed him multiple times before driving away.
Mr Mohamed was rushed to hospital but tragically died a few hours after the attack.
Smith, who previously had barely any contact with Mr Mohamed, turned himself in at a police station two hours later.
Smith, of Brownhills, in Walsall, denied an offence of murder and has now pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that the Crown Prosecution Service has accepted his guilty plea.
After the hearing Mr Mohamed’s family said they were unhappy with the outcome and believe the attack was racially motivated and have launched the Justice for Abdifaha campaign as a result.
“Abdi always had a smile on his face, an infectious laugh and always went above and beyond for people.
“The family would like to make it clear that they do not agree with the decision taken to accept the plea of manslaughter with diminished responsibility. Throughout this process, there has been a lack of transparency. Until very recently, we were preparing for a murder trial.
“We have seen the evidence which is used to argue that the defendant was suffering from a severe depressive episode at the time of the attack and it is not compelling.”
Mr Abdi, who had limited contact with the defendant prior to the stabbing, was attacked after Smith went to the office to inquire about making a claim about scratches on his van. When the victim went to check the vehicle parked nearby Smith stabbed him multiple times in an incident which was captured by closed circuit cameras.
He suffered serious neck injuries, but died in hospital a short time later despite efforts to save him.
Paying tribute, a spokesman for Easy4insruance, where Mr Mohamed worked for two years, said: “Our thoughts are with his family in this difficult time.
“Abdi has been employed by Bromwich Insurance for two years as a Personal Insurance Advisor, he was in the process of progressing to Commercial Insurance Advisor such was his ability’s for learning.
“He was a very much loved member of our team and will be missed by us all for years to come.”
The 40-year-old, of Lindon Road, Brownhills has today (Fri) been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 12 years, at Wolverhampton Crown Court after he admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood, from Force CID, said: “Our thoughts remain with Mr Mohamed’s family, who have been left devastated by what Smith did and unfortunately despite Smith’s plea, they are still without any real explanation for what happened.”
In a statement on behalf of Mr Mohamed’s family, they said: “No words can truly describe just how beautiful Abdi’s personality was. From the moment he was born, he blessed our lives in every way possible.
“It is no exaggeration to say that he always had a smile on his face, which beamed everywhere he went. He had this infectious laugh that filled the rooms he entered.
“He was kind, always there for everyone and incredibly down to earth. He took the role of a son and a brother seriously… He was deeply devoted to all those he loved, friends and family.”
