City Centre Stabbing Leads to Killer's Imprisonment

A man has been sentenced to prison after fatally stabbing another man in the heart of Canterbury. Mohammed Hgar, 32, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 23-year-old Samare Gerezgihir following a knife attack on 11 October 2024.

At Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday, the judge sentenced Hgar, who has no fixed address, to nine years behind bars.

The incident occurred at approximately 23:30 BST on High Street, where Hgar stabbed his victim in the chest. After the attack, Hgar reportedly took a taxi to Herne Bay. Samare Gerezgihir died shortly after the assault, and Hgar was arrested by 05:00 the next morning.

Investigators noted that CCTV footage captured Hgar interacting with a group of men in the city centre shortly before the stabbing. Police believe that Hgar and his victim were previously acquainted and involved in an ongoing dispute. Hgar has not revealed a clear motive for the attack.

Detective Inspector Colin McKeen stated that the sentence highlights the seriousness of the attack and underscores the dangers of carrying a knife. He added, "It is my hope that this outcome brings a measure of justice and closure to those affected by this tragic event."

Initially, Kent Police had charged Hgar and another man, Kemal Ibrahim, with murder and possession of a bladed weapon in a public place. Both denied the charges, and Ibrahim was later acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Author: Riley Thompson