Murderer arrested carrying knife days after killing

A man who stabbed his housemate to death at a property in Birmingham has been jailed for life.

Abdou Sillah, 24, lived at a shared property in Swanage Road, Small Heath, alongside 29-year-old Kiirpal Nhian. Police received an emergency call on 20 December last year after Nhian was found collapsed in the garden.

He was not breathing and had suffered a stab wound to his chest. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

Sillah appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on 29 September and was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 22 years.

Sillah was identified on camera fleeing from the address shortly after the stabbing.

He was arrested several days later, in possession of a knife and wearing clothing similar to that seen on CCTV.

Following an investigation, he was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article. Sillah was found guilty of both offences following a trial in July.

Det Insp Ade George, from the force's homicide unit, said the investigation had brought together evidence from officers and specialist teams.

"Our thoughts remain with everyone who knew Kiirpal and have been affected by his death," he said.

"There is no doubt that Sillah knew his actions could lead to devastating consequences, and by his attempts to hide the murder weapon and fleeing from the address, it showed he had no intent of handing himself in."

He added: "Thanks to the work of my officers and other teams across the force, including forensics, we were able to piece everything together, track Sillah down, and put him before the courts to answer for his crimes.

"I hope this result will give everyone who knew Kiirpal some comfort that he will be put behind bars for his actions."

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