A Chorlton teenager died at the hands of a ‘sniggering’ stranger, a jury at Manchester Crown Court heard today.
Kieran Crump-Raiswell, 18, died after a horrifying unprovoked attack on Upper Chorlton Road on January 16 this year.
Imran Akhtar Hussain, 27, was in court today accused of murdering the teenager who was stabbed four times in the chest.
He denies the charge.
Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, told the court: “It is the prosecution’s case that on this occasion, fortified by the apparent ease at which a stranger could be attacked, Mr Hussain travelled to Manchester armed with a knife and intending to kill someone.”
Mr Hussain, a mature student from Coventry, has also been charged with assault in relation to an incident on January 4, this time in Nottingham, and was seen driving around the Whalley Range and Chorlton area for around an hour on the day of Mr Crump-Raiswell’s death.
Mr Wright added that police now believe that Hussain was ‘looking for a suitable victim’.
The defendant was seen parking his Ford Ka in Upper Chorlton Road before getting out as Kieran crossed the road – at which point Mr Hussain stabbed Mr Crump-Raiswell four times.
The prosecutor continued by saying: “The incident was observed by a number of motorists and passers-by.
“The assailant was seen to be wearing a dark top with bright red writing on it. As he ran off the man was seen to be smiling and he appeared to be laughing.”
Mr Hussain, of Tilehurst Lane, who previously denied the charges completely, has now pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
In the face of overwhelming evidence against him the defendant went on to claim that he had been hearing ‘threatening and abusive voices’.
Mr Hussain is also accused of punching Nottingham Probation Trust employee Paul Kershaw, 38, in the face on January 4 – Mr Kershaw was also a stranger to Mr Hussain.
Mr Kershaw, who was jumped from behind, was able to note the number plate of his assailant’s get- away car.
Police have confirmed it is the same vehicle that Mr Hussain was seen in 12 days later.
Mr Wright told the jury: “You and Mr Kershaw may consider that although it was no doubt a most distressing event he had the fortune that Kieran Crump-Raiswell did not.”
The trial is expected to last a week.
Proceeding.
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