A teenager who begged his best friend not to die after he was stabbed by his stepdad has appeared in court charged with affray in relation to an incident before the killing.
Jahmal Mendez, 19, of Myrtle Road, was present when his stepfather, Peshawa Ghaffour, stabbed his best friend, Mohammed Iqbal, outside an Indian restaurant on May 20, 2023 in Crookes Road, Sheffield. The friends had gone to the area after Mendez received a call from his mother, who was working at the restaurant, telling him that Ghaffour had headbutted her.
Jurors acquitted Ghaffour of that, but convicted him of Mohammed’s manslaughter. He was jailed for seven years. Prosecutor, Laura Marshall told Sheffield Crown Court on Friday: “The mother of the defendant had, prior to this offence, been in a relationship with Peshawa Ghaffour, and that did not end well. On 20th May, 2023, at the Indian Chef in the Crookes area of Sheffield, Peshawa Ghaffour attended with a friend just before 7pm and they [Ghaffour and the defendant’s mum], began to argue about the relationship.
“She alleged he had headbutted her, but the jury acquitted him of that. She phoned her eldest son and then the defendant. Peshawa Ghaffour, knowing that, said, ‘Let them come’ and armed himself with a knife he took from the restaurant.”
Ghaffour, it was said, then left the restaurant and was spotted by Mendez and Mohammed near to a Sainsbury’s store and they apprehended him.
Peshawa Ghaffour was found guilty of the manslaughter of Mohammed Iqbal
(Image: South Yorkshire Police)
Ms Marshall said: “Everything was caught on footage. They apprehended him and used violence against him. What happens is that the defendant approaches Peshawa Ghaffour, initially a punch was thrown but it doesn’t appear to connect. Mohammed Iqbal comes to Peshawa Ghaffour from behind and grabs him around his neck.
“The defendant attempts to give a second punch but that doesn’t connect and he [Ghaffour] is pulled to the ground by the two men, and as he is doing so, pulls a knife out and stabs Mohammed Iqbal once. It is clearly as the defendant says, that he didn’t realise his friend had been stabbed.”
The court heard it was “obvious” on footage when Mendez spotted the knife and put his foot on Ghaffour’s hand to keep him away. It was said Mohammed did have a “Rambo” knife in his possession, but did not use it.
The prosecutor said he disposed of the weapon before calling 999. She added: “It is perhaps one of the most distressing calls I have ever heard. At the end you hear the defendant going to his friend to help and he was distraught and begging his friend not to die. An account was taken from the defendant at the scene.”
Mendez was initially arrested on suspicion of murder, and was co-operative with officers, giving them his account. He went on to admit affray. Mendez had no previous convictions on his record.
The court heard a pre-sentence report and psychiatric report had been carried out in the case, with Ed Moss, mitigating, saying: “Can I state the most obvious point of mitigation for this young man, which is there is no punishment which can be given out to him which comes near to the suffering he has on a daily basis.
“Seeing what he did see on that day, which was the loss of his friend before his very eyes… It goes without saying there can be no greater remorse than shown by this man. It has absolutely devastated his life… He is an intelligent young man who does have a future but needs help to find the path forward.”
Her Honour Judge Wright made Mendez the subject of a two-year community order, during which he has to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and an electronically monitored curfew. She said: “You tried to assist your friend as he was dying. You have no previous convictions and had only just turned 18 at the time.
“You will need specialist help to assist you in dealing with the ongoing trauma. I sincerely hope you will be able to go forward in the future and put this to what extent you can behind you. You went to the location with the intention of being violent to this man. It is obviously a serious case.”
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