Teens cleared of attempted murder in playground

Five teenagers held after an attack left a man unable to use his right hand have been cleared of attempted murder.

Hertfordshire Police said a man in his 30s was airlifted to hospital following a stabbing at Harwoods Recreation Ground in Watford on 12 October. He remained in hospital for five weeks.

At St Albans Crown Court on 4 September, the five 17 and 18-year-olds were found not guilty of attempted murder but convicted of various other offences, including grievous bodily harm (GBH), perverting the course of justice, and supplying drugs.

They were all remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing on 3 December.

All three 17-year-olds, who cannot be named because of their age, were found guilty of being concerned in the supply of drugs, with two also being convicted of GBH. One of those also was found to have perverted the course of justice.

Habibullah Khater, 18, from Queens Close in Smethwick, West Midlands, was found guilty of wounding with intent, perverting the course of justice and being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Another 18-year-old, Hamza Abdurrazzaq, of Rosebery Road, Smethwick, was found guilty of wounding with intent and being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Det Insp Chris Parperi, who led the investigation, said: "This was a targeted attack which left the victim fighting for his life.

"Thankfully, he was able to pull through following extensive treatment, but is still suffering from what happened, both mentally and physically.

"It also had a big impact on the local community, who were left in fear."

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