Thug desperate for pills and money stabbed man in his own flat

A thug ordered a man to give him drugs and cash before stabbing him in his own flat. Dawit Alemseged knifed his victim after he refused to give into the demands, leaving him struggling to sleep and "reluctant" to leave home.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the 23-year-old, of no fixed address, attended Akbar Nasiri's address on Red Lomes in Netherton on April 6 last year in possession of the weapon and "asked him for money and pills". Kate Morley, prosecuting, described how he "stabbed or slashed out at him" with the weapon when the complainant refused, causing a "superficial wound".

In a statement read to the court on his behalf, Mr Nasiri detailed how he has since been diagnosed with depression and left suffering from sleeping difficulties. He also "feels vulnerable, unsafe and anxious in his own home" and "reluctant to go out in public".

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Alemseged has no previous convictions, Michael O'Brien, defending, told the court his client had been suffering from mental health issues and had spent around two months in custody during 2023 over charges he was not ultimately convicted of.

The defendant admitted unlawful wounding on the day he was due to stand trial. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool and assisted by an interpreter during today's hearing, Alemseged was jailed for a year and handed a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim for three years.

Sentencing, Judge Anil Murray said: "Fortunately, you left only superficial wounds. He feels vulnerable and has been isolated.

"In mitigation, you are young and of good character. You have spent some time in custody for this offence. You clearly had some mental health issues. I take that into account.

"You will serve approximately half of this sentence. I am not sure what will happen then because you may be deported. If you are released, then you will be on licence."