A teenage boy, now 16 years old, has been convicted of murder after a jury at Bristol Crown Court found him guilty of fatally stabbing a drug dealer in Cheltenham. The incident, which occurred on 16 December 2025, involved the death of 46-year-old Hamid Erfani in an alleyway.
The court heard that the teenager, who cannot be identified due to his age, was 15 at the time of the attack. He had denied the murder charge, claiming he acted in self-defence. However, the jury rejected this defence, leading to his conviction earlier today.
Prior to the murder trial, the 16-year-old and a second, unnamed teenager had both admitted to robbing Mr Erfani. It was alleged that during the robbery, cash, drugs, and a mobile phone were taken from the victim before he was stabbed.
During the proceedings, CCTV footage was presented to the court, showing the defendant and the other boy arriving at the scene of the crime. This visual evidence likely played a significant role in the jury's decision.
The conviction highlights the serious issue of knife crime, particularly involving young people, and the tragic consequences that can arise from drug-related disputes and robberies. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by communities and law enforcement in tackling violent crime among teenagers.