CCTV shows teen stalking Alfie Lewis, 15, before stabbing him to death near school after hiding 13cm knife in uniform
HARROWING CCTV footage shows how a teenage killer stalked 15-year-old Alfie Lewis before stabbing him to death near a school.
Bardia Shojaeifard, 14 at the time, savagely killed Alfie, 15, with a 13cm knife hidden in his uniform in Horsforth, Leeds, last year.
The 15-year-old was jailed for life today 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.
Shojaeifard had hidden the knife and carried it “all day” in his evil plan to target Alfie at home time, a court heard.
Now, new CCTV footage released by West Yorkshire Police has shown how Shojaeifard stalked Alfie through the streets.
Alfie had been on his way to meet friends from Horsforth School, where he had previously been a student.
Shots from the video reveal Shojaeifard running through the public streets in broad daylight with the large knife in hand.
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.”
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 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 killer’s clothing.
Mr Justice Cotter removed reporting restrictions that prevented him from being identified on Friday.
He said lifting the defendant’s anonymity would help in the “vitally important debate about the scourge of knife crime, among young people in particular”.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Cotter said: “Why you chose to do what you did, no one will ever know.
“You will be able to have an enjoyable life, a family, career and other experiences and you took all of this away from Alfie who will forever be 15-years-old as you cut his life short.
“Whatever you say or do cannot bring him back. But from this point on, you can try and honour his life by doing something with your life before and after.
“You are a clever young man and must do something with your life and make Alfie proud. It is the very least you owe him and his life.”
Alfie’s family were wearing ‘forever 15’ t-shirts in the public gallery.
They were commended for their “impeccable” behaviour throughout the emotional trial.
‘MY BEAUTIFUL, KIND BABY BOY’
Heartbroken mum Heather Lane cried as she told the court: “Alfie was my youngest son, my baby boy, my little mate and my gossip column.
“He was the third corner or our little family’s triangle which is now broken.
“I’ve devastated and I miss him so much. He was my beautiful, kind baby boy and I was so proud of him.”
She said her footie-mad son carried a football with him wherever he went when he grew up, even to bed.
She added: “We laughed, danced and smiled for 15 years and I thought we would for the rest of our lives.
“Some of the things I miss the most are the simple every day things. I miss his kisses in the morning, goodnight and all of the ones in the middle.
“I miss his jokes and amazing massive smile and the love he showed me every single day. It’s unbearable not to have that now.
“Even when he was in a mood with me, he’d text me and say ‘even though I’m not talking to you, I still love you’.
“Alfie used to call me every hour when he was out with his friends talking rubbish. I’d do anything for that phone call now.
“Our house was filled with Alfie and his friends. He goes out at 2.40 in the afternoon and he’s murdered.
“I can’t accept what happened as the pain is too much. I don’t know how to live without him and I don’t want to. I don’t know why this has happened to us.
“The impact Alfie had in our lives was larger than I could could ever describe and because of these horrific senseless actions – and his murder – so many lives have been affected.
“I received a phone call on November 7 that my Alfie had been stabbed. Just minutes before he left the house.
“The reality was I was never going to hold him, see him or cuddle him again. Never be able to hear him say. ‘I love you mum’ because he was murdered.
“Alfie would never use or never had any kind of weapon because I brought him up better than that.
“Alfie was my heart and when he was stabbed in the heart it killed me too. My heart is broken and I don’t know how to live my life without him.”