Greenwich man jailed after stabbing Greenhithe man in Abbey Wood

Mohammed Al-Shihabi, 26, was found guilty of manslaughter and possession of a bladed article at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, April 4.

Al-Shihabi, of Lighthouse View in Greenwich, fatally stabbed Mazaza Owusu-Mensah, 18, in a brief but deadly altercation in March 2021.

Victim Mazaza Owusu-Mensah

Al-Shihabi was found not guilty of murder.

He was sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, Nay 4 as follows:

Manslaughter – nine years

Possession of a bladed article – two years to run concurrent

Upon release, to be subject to an extended license period of four years.

Al-Shihabi was also sentenced to one year for a separate matter of dangerous driving committed in November 2020.

Police were called just before 5.35pm on March 6 to a man suffering serious injuries in Edington Road in Abbey Wood.

Officers and ambulance crews found Mazaza, who lived in Greenhithe in Kent, with a stab wound to his chest.

First aid was administered at the scene but he was pronounced dead at 6.11pm.

A number of people were believed to have witnessed the assault but declined to assist officers at the scene.

CCTV examination captured the full incident.

Mazaza, separated from his friends, approached Al-Shihabi and his friends.

A very short conversation ensued resulting in Al-Shihabi jabbing Mazaza’s chest.

Mazaza had been stabbed.

He made his way back towards his friends, perhaps not quite realising the seriousness of his injury.

His friends took him into a home where Mazaza collapsed.

An ambulance was called, however Mazaza’s injury was so severe that he died at the scene.

The whole confrontation had taken just ten seconds.

Al-Shihabi was identified through fast-paced CCTV enquiries.

Specialist detectives located him on Monday, March 13.

He was taken to a north London police station for questioning before being charged with murder in the early hours of March 15.

Police officers worked to trace the movements of both parties via CCTV in the area across the entire day of the murder.

Despite this, door to door enquiries, speaking to local people and various witness appeals, police could establish no clear reason for why the incident unfolded.

Five others were arrested in connection with the murder and later released without further action.

Mazaza's mother said: "Mazaza was a much loved member of our family and the wider community.

"It is tremendously hard, indeed difficult to convey into words the devastation his sudden passing away in such a brutal manner has had on all of us.

"Mazaza was full of life, very kind and very caring and full of jokes – a total chatterbox.

"He was incredibly loyal, intelligent and well mannered.

"Mazaza was the most loving son a mother could want – he told others how much he loved his family, never losing that ability to communicate his affection.

"I always remember him with a blue Fanta and Thai sweet chilli Mccoys.

" He loved his food too – and his music, which he played loudly every morning.

"I miss him every day."

Detective Inspector Laura Nelson, who led the investigation, said: “Ten seconds was all it took for Al-Shihabi to take a life and ruin that of Mazaza’s family.

“My team worked around the clock in the wake of the incident but the reason for the sudden attack has never been satisfactorily explained.

“When Mazaza approached Al-Shihabi and his friends, he had no idea of what was about to unfold. This brief interaction has had a devastating impact.

“Al-Shihabi’s actions wereutterly without justification.

"He tried to hide afterwards but was quickly arrested.

"We will continue to work tirelessly to bring those to justice who take the lives of others.

“I implore anyone concerned in carrying a knife; look at this story and stop. No one wins; someone’s life ends and another spends time serving a lengthy prison sentence. The lives of both of their relatives are torn apart.”

A Met Police spokesperson offered the following advice:

- If you have information about a violent crime, do the right thing and contact the police. You can provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

- Fearless also offers advice and guidance; there is also a page where you can pass on information about crime anonymously.

- You can also visit Knife Free for advice on how to have a conversation with someone you're worried about, discover real stories about people who turned their lives around after being involved in knife crime as well as places you can go for further help and support.

- The Prince’s Trust can help provide support and opportunities for young people, particularly young people who are moving away from gangs and crime. They have helped thousands of young people.

- Always dial 999 if you are worried someone is at risk. The police are there to help and keep you safe.

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