Tinsley man admits assisting killer who stabbed cinemagoer

A TINSLEY man who handled a knife used to kill a cinemagoer has admitted helping to cover up the stabbing.
Layton MorrisLayton Morris
Layton Morris

Layton Morris (22), of Ferrars Road, admitted assisting an offender at Sheffield Crown Court today (Tuesday) following the killing of Fahim Hersi (23) at Cineworld at Valley Centertainment, Sheffield, on September 21 last year.

He had been seen on CCTV footage removing a knife from a bin which had been used to stab Mr Hersi.

Noel Ramsey (22), of Nottingham Street, Sheffield, was on trial for murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter today.

Ramsey stabbed Mr Hersi outside Cineworld after a fight broke out between two groups of men, a police spokeswoman said.

Mr Hersi was taken to hospital by his friends, but died from his injuries a short time later.

Noel Ramsey (pictured, above)

Det Chief Insp Simon Palmer, the senior investigating officer, said: “This has been a lengthy and detailed investigation involving a great amount of in-depth CCTV analysis and the stitching together of multiple, complex witness statements.

“On the night of September 21, both Ramsey and Mr Hersi had intended to watch a film at the cinema with different groups of friends.

“As they arrived at the Centertainment car park an altercation commenced. At this point, Ramsey was involved in a scuffle with another man, who was carrying a knife.”

Fahim Hersi (pictured, above)

Mr Palmer said Ramsey himself had been stabbed in the leg and, after his attacker dropped the knife and walked away, he was approached by Mr Hersi.

“At this point, Ramsey lashed out with the abandoned knife, stabbing Mr Hersi in the chest, delivering the blow that proved fatal at hospital just a short time later,” said Mr Palmer.

“As Mr Hersi was on the way to the Northern General with his friends, CCTV footage shows Ramsey walking away from the scene, carrying the knife and disposing of it near a bin.

"A second man, Layton Morris, is later seen removing it.”

After the incident, Ramsey went to hospital for treatment to his own wound and was arrested, said a police spokeswoman.

In the following months, detectives reviewed CCTV footage from multiple cameras, piecing together individual clips to create a timeline of the incident.

Mr Palmer added: “I am pleased we have secured guilty pleas in connection to Mr Hersi’s death.

“The investigation has been an incredibly complex process, which Mr Hersi’s family members have endured with great bravery and patience. They have been at the forefront of our minds throughout our enquiries.”

Supt Mel Palin, head of investigations in Sheffield, said: “This incident was a stark reminder of the tragedy that can result from carrying a knife.

“I want to reassure the public that a great deal of work is taking place in Sheffield to educate and inform our young people about the consequences of knife crime.

“It is important that I also mention the huge amount of enforcement activity being carried out by our teams across South Yorkshire on a daily basis to tackle the issue of knife crime in our communities.”

Morris and Ramsey will be sentenced tomorrow (Wednesday).

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