Two teenage boys were jailed today for the manslaughter of teenage footballer Sekou Doucoure over a gang-related turf war in Birmingham. 

Pierre Thomas, aged 18, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named due to his age, received custodial sentences at Coventry Crown Court on Friday (10 March).

Sekou Doucoure, a gifted footballer who had played for Nottingham Forest FC’s academy, was knifed to death around 6pm in Birmingham on 12 July 2022 due to a postcode war, say police.

Doucoure, aged 16, and his friend had been riding an electric scooter in Villa Street, Newtown, and as they allegedly strayed into a rival gang’s territory in Farm Street they noticed Pierre Thomas riding a mountain bike towards them.

Doucoure turned to ride towards him, but Thomas pulled a gun from his bag, just as a 16-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, and another man joined them, one with a knife and the other with a gun.

Teenager Sekou Doucoure was chased and knifed to death over a postcode war, say policeWMP
Teenager Sekou Doucoure was chased and knifed to death over a postcode war, say police

Doucoure, who was also armed with a knife, managed to run away as shots rang out. As he fled another man joined the offenders and chased after Doucoure on Thomas’ mountain bike.

Doucoure hid for around 20 minutes and then made his way to Burbury Street, where the offenders caught up with him. Both were armed with knives and a scuffle ensued ending on an Esso petrol station forecourt in Nursery Road, Hockley, where Doucoure received a fatal stab wound to his chest with an eight-inch knife.

Armed police officers had responded to the shots fired in Villa Street and were already searching the area when they were flagged down by members of the public. They raced to the garage forecourt and immediately started CPR, but sadly Doucoure could not be saved.

Pierre Thomas and a 16-year-old boy have been jailed for 9 years for the horrific killing of Sekou DoucoureWMP
Pierre Thomas and a 16-year-old boy have been jailed for 9 years for the horrific killing of Sekou Doucoure

Warrants were conducted at the homes of Thomas and the 16-year-old, and the CCTV helped to plot their movements on the day Doucoure was killed.

The two suspects were taken into police custody following the brutal killing and found guilty of manslaughter and possession of an imitation firearm with an intent to cause fear on Wednesday 15 February at Coventry Crown Court.

Police continue to appeal for information on the whereabouts of a 31-year-old man who is believe to be involved in Doucoure’s murder. Independent charity Crimestoppers are offering a reward of £10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of Ishmael Farquharson.

 

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