Teenager detained for life for murder of 15-year-old boy

A 15-year-old boy who murdered Leeds teenager Alfie Lewis in a knife attack outside a primary school has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 13 years.

Alfie, also aged 15, died in hospital after being stabbed in the heart and leg in Church Road, Horsforth, in November 2023.

Bardia Shojaeifard, whose identity can now be revealed after reporting restrictions were lifted, pushed Alfie to the ground before stabbing him twice “in full view” of a group of schoolchildren.

Bardia, who was 14 at the time of the killing, was found guilty of murder in May after a two-week trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Alfie was attacked near Horsforth School just before 15:00 GMT on November 7, 2023 while visiting friends.

Prosecutor Craig Hassall KC said Baria “deliberately” walked towards Alfie before stabbing him with a knife he had taken from a kitchen drawer at his home.

During the trial, Shojaeifard denied the murder and claimed to have been “scared” of Alfie.

Judge Cotter on Friday lifted reporting restrictions preventing Bardia from being identified because of his age.

He said lifting the defendant’s anonymity would contribute to “vitally important debate about the scourge of knife crime, particularly among young people”.

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