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Yahya Sharif, 18, was fatally stabbed to death in Small Heath by Abdirahaman Yussuf

A 19-year-old rapper has been jailed for life for the murder of a teenager in Small Heath. Abdirahaman Yussuf later wrote a rap song boasting about the killing of Yahya Sharif, 18.

Yussuf, of Hob Moor Road, Yardley, was found guilty of murder following a trial in December at Birmingham Crown Court. He was jailed for life today and will serve a minimum of 22 years.

The court was told that the victim was getting out of his BMW near Pastry House on December 10 in 2021. Within seconds he was attacked by Yussuf, who pulled out a large knife and thrust it into his chest.

Read more: Accused killer 'found with rap lyrics boasting about teen Yahya Sharif's Small Heath murder'

The victim tried to flee but was left with catastrophic injuries he could not survive. When Yussuf was later arrested officers discovered an envelope featuring handwritten lyrics of a rap about the murder.

They included the words ‘ching’ and ‘flash’, which are slang words to describe stabbings. Yahya's death sparked an outpouring of grief. Nearly 1,000 people attended his prayer service and burial in Small Heath.

This is a live blog and we will be bringing you updates below from the sentencing.

"You were not involved in gangs. The minimum term can be reduced to 22 years.

"I sentence you to custody for life with a minimum term of 22 years."

"Your intention was to kill. None of the statutory aggravating features apply.

"It would have caused distress to members of the public.

"I am satisfied that an intent was formed. There was a lack of premeditation.

"You are aged 20. A stable and loving home was provided. You have an interest in music and have never been in trouble with the police.

"It is appropriate to make some allowance for your age. You are clearly remorseful.

"There is a complete absence of previous convictions."

"The moment you stabbed him can be seen in the CCTV footage. Your knife went through his heart.

"The force was severe. Paramedics came on the scene but he could not be saved. The cause of death was catastrophic blood loss.

"You claimed you did this in self-defence. The jury rejected your account.

"It is clear he presented no threat. He was walking to where he was going."

In passing sentence Mr Justice Choudhury said: "Just after 5.20pm Mr Sharif was fatally stabbed and killed. He was only 18.

"You and two of your friends had gathered outside a barber's shop.

"There was nothing to indicate there was any violence intended.

"Yahya was not carrying a knife. You were carrying one because it was your choice.

"Your group decided to head off to another barbers

"At around that time Yahya had parked... he was holding a mobile phone. You paused and stabbed him in the chest.

"The true reason may never be known. You said you had problems with his friends."

Mr Peart said: "Because of the nature of the conviction you must consider whether he is dangerous.

"He would be willing to take part in the restorative justice process.

"He is still young enough to be rehabilitated and is by no means beyond redemption.

"There is remorse."

Mr Justice Choudhury has risen to consider his sentence.

Isah Peart KC, defending, said the murder was "not premeditated."

He added: "It was committed on the spur of the moment.

"There is a doubt whether the court can be sure of an intention to kill.

"There is ample evidence that he was not holding the blade against his chest.

"It was committed in public and there was an attempt to dispose of the knife.

"He had just turned 19 at the time of the events. He has been in the country since he was three.

"He was educated at a local school. He did warehouse work. He was on the verge of signing a contract with Sony. He had no previous convictions."

The court is now hearing from a victim impact statement from the mother of Yahya.

Muna Sharif said "His death left a hole in my heart which can not be fixed. He was a nice, pleasant boy. He was always smiling and loved jokes.

"He looked after his own siblings. `

"Yahya's death has affected everyone. I still don't know why my son was killed.

"My life has been destroyed. When he died I felt he was alive in my heart."

Good morning.

We are covering the sentencing of Abdirahaman Yussuf, 19, for the murder of 18-year-old Yahya Sharif.

The killer stabbed the teen to death as he got out of a car in Small Heath.

He was convicted of murder in December.