A man who stabbed a Chorlton teenager of ‘energy and intelligence’ to death in Old Trafford has been sentenced to life in prison.
Imran Hussain, 27, knifed 18-year-old Kieran Crump-Raiswell in his back and chest while he was walking into the city centre to hand out CVs in a ‘cold-blooded motiveless killing’ in January.
Today at Manchester Crown Court, Hussain, of Tilehurst Lane, Bracknell was given a maximum sentence, with a minimum term of 23 years.
Sentencing, the Honorable Mr Justice Baker said Kieran was a young man who had his whole life ahead of him.
He added: “All of this was snatched away from him on the afternoon of Wednesday January 16, when he was stabbed to death.”
He described Kieran as a ‘much-loved’ son and said his murder was ‘every parent’s worst fear’.
Kieran had obtained a place at Sheffield Hallam University and was walking from his home in Chorlton when Hussain attacked him.
TRAGIC: Victim Kieran Crump-Raiswell, who was just 18 years old
Hussain had punched a man in the face in Nottingham in an unprovoked attack just 12 days earlier, which Mr Justice Baker described as a ‘trial run’.
On the day of the murder, he headed to Manchester where he spent the best part of an hour driving round, and drove past Kieran on five separate occasions.
He hid behind a bush before attacking Kieran, and was then seen smiling after the attack as he went back to his car.
Mr Justice Baker said the murder was committed without an obvious rational motive.
Alistair Webster QC, defending, said: “He understands the wrong of what he did. He wishes to express his sorrow of what he did.”
Hussain had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after claims he heard voices in his head telling him to kill, but this was rejected by the jury.
Speaking outside court, Kieran’s emotional father, Roland Crump, said: “At this time, it is important to remember Kieran as an outstanding young man about to embark on his adult life and we treasure the memory of our fantastic eldest son.
“We believe this senseless murder has been justly punished.”
Mr Crump also thanked family, friends and the community for their ‘unstinting support’ over the recent months.
Detective Chief Inspector Pete Marsh, from Great Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, said the murder was a premeditated unprovoked attack on an innocent young man.
He added: “Hussain and Kieran had not met before – Hussain came to Manchester with the sole intention of causing harm.
“This was a cold-blooded motiveless killing and it is clear from his actions that Hussain obviously has no regard for human life.”
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