Family of British-Lebanese stabbing victim call for retrial

Yousef Makki was stabbed to death in Manchester a year ago

An undated handout picture released by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on March 6, 2019 shows Yousef Makki, 17, who was fatally stabbed in Altrincham, near Manchester,  northwest England, on March 2, 2019. - Britain's knife-crime epidemic should be treated "like a disease", interior minister Sajid Javid said on March 6, 2019, as the government announced a summit following another weekend of stabbings. The issue was top of the news agenda again after 17-year-old Jodie Chesney was killed in an east London park as she sat with friends, and Yousef Ghaleb Makki, also 17, died near Manchester -- the ninth and 10th teenagers to be knifed to death this year. (Photo by HO / GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / METROPOLITAN POLICE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
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The family of an Anglo-Lebanese stabbing victim have called for a retrial on the first anniversary of his death.

Yousef Makki, 17, was killed after a fight with his friend Joshua Molnar, 18, in the upmarket Hale Barns area of Greater Manchester last March.

Following a trial last year, Molnar was acquitted of murder and manslaughter but was locked up for 16 months for possessing a knife and perverting the course of justice.

He was released early last week.

Now, Mr Makki's family have called for a retrial.

At a press conference, his sister Jade Akoum said they had been told of Molnar's release last week.

"Police told us on the morning of the release – we were getting mentally prepared for his release later on in March," she said.

"If we can’t have a retrial, we will be launching a civil case.

"The justice system completely failed normal, average families at every step that we have taken so far, and I think things need to change.

"A lot of the evidence was not put forward in the right way."

Molnar claimed that he acted in self-defence.

Another teenager, Adam Chowdhary, then also 17, was acquitted of perverting the course of justice but given a four-month detention order after admitting to the possession of a flick knife.

Mr Makki's family have criticised the investigation into his death, which was carried out by Cheshire Police and Greater Manchester Police.

At present, both forces are being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct in relation to the case.

Under UK law a person can only be retried if new evidence comes to light.

Mr Makki was a bright student studying at the prestigious Manchester Grammar School when he died on March 2 last year. He suffered a stab wound to the heart.

Mr Makki had grown up on a social housing estate and won a scholarship to attend the £13,000 (Dh61,000)-a-year school.

His family have claimed class played a role in the verdict as both the accused came from privileged backgrounds.

Last year following the verdict, Mrs Akoum said: "We all thought the trial we would get closure and at least the truth. We didn't even get truth."

It is claimed the stabbing took place over a failed attempt to rob a drug dealer of £45 worth of cannabis.

Mr Makki had been preparing to apply for university at the time of his death and had ambitions to become a surgeon.