Rotherham man sentenced after ‘horrific’ fatal stabbing attack

James Lee, of Doncaster Road — whom police said repeatedly shared “racially motivated views and opinions” throughout the investigation — pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility following the fatal stabbing attack in Sheffield city centre which left Mohamed Issa Koroma with critical injuries. 

Mr Koroma (24), who his family said was “kind” and “liked and respected by everyone he met”, was on High Street giving out flyers for a church at around 4.30pm on September, 17 2021, when the “horrific incident” happened.

He was pronounced dead at 5.15pm, with a post-mortem concluding he died as a result of his injuries.

Det Supt Mick Hakin, who led the investigation by South Yorkshire Police’s Major Crime Team, said racial motivation could not be ruled out as a reason for the “thoughtless act of violence”. 

Lee was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday to an indefinite detention at a mental hospital under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act.

He will also be subject to special restrictions, ensuring continued monitoring throughout his life.

Det Supt Hakin said: “This was a horrific incident whereby a member of the public was randomly attacked and killed by Lee in broad daylight.

“Whilst it has been determined by the court that Lee suffers from significant mental illness, resulting in him being sentenced in line with the offence of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, what must also be recognised is that throughout the investigation and court process Lee has repeatedly made reference to racially motivated views and opinions.

“Due to Lee's mental illness we may never be able to definitively know why Lee carried out this thoughtless act of violence, but racial motivation cannot be ruled out as a reason for the attack.

“Our thoughts remain with Mohamed's family who are understandably devastated and are no doubt still coming to terms with what happened that dreadful day.”

In a statement, Mr Koroma’s family said their “world fell apart” when they were told of his death. 

“We brought our children up to be respectful, we taught our children to be kind, we taught our children not to hate," they said.

"Mohamed was respectful, he was kind, he didn’t hate, he was gentle, he was a friend to everyone and was liked and respected by everyone he met.

“No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye, our hearts still ache with the sadness and secret tears still flow.

"If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I would walk right up to heaven and bring our son Mohamed Issa Koroma home again.”