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Man guilty of murdering 25-year-old with knife

Beth Cruse
BBC News, West of England
Avon and Somerset Police A mugshot of a thin man wearing a grey jumper. He has dark hair, stubble and a cut on his nose.Avon and Somerset Police
Shakawan Siddiqi denied murdering Kunta Ceesay but he was found guilty by a jury after a two-week trial

A man has been found guilty of murdering a 25-year-old man by stabbing him in the street.

Shakawan Siddiqi, 32, of St Pauls, Bristol, attacked Kunta Ceesay with a knife in an altercation on Stapleton Road in the city on 20 September last year.

He was found guilty by a jury on Wednesday following a two-and-a-half week trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Mr Ceesay's family have paid tribute to him, saying he was a "kind, bubbly and loving boy" who "always helped his family and friends whenever he could."

It is not known whether the pair knew each other but there could have been a dispute between them over a small amount of money, a jury was told.

The court heard Mr Ceesay visited Stapleton Road on 20 September and CCTV showed him picking up a bike belonging to Siddiqi which had been left outside a Post Office.

A fight broke out between the pair shortly after and within about 30 seconds Mr Ceesay had been fatally stabbed.

Family handout A man wearing a red and black checked shirt and a black cap smiles at the camera.Family handout
Kunta Ceesay, 25, has been described as "loving" and "bubbly" by his family

The jury heard Siddiqi disposed of the knife and changed his clothing but he was arrested by police the following day.

He told officers there had been a fight but he denied stabbing Mr Ceesay.

Ahead of the trial Siddiqi accepted he had stabbed Mr Ceesay and caused his death but he claimed he had been acting in self-defence and denied murder.

He was found guilty of murder during the trial and will be sentenced at a later date.

"It is so sad for the family that Kunta was taken from us far too soon and he has been robbed of the chance to grow old, create his own family and reach his dreams," Mr Ceesay's family said in a statement.

"It's difficult to comprehend the senseless way that Kunta has lost his life and how difficult it will be for all of us to have to live without him.

"Whilst our hearts and lives will never be the same we, the family of Kunta, trusted the justice system and the jurors to make the right decision in this case.

"Kunta's life meant something and we hope that this will serve as a reminder for people to be cautious [and] lead with kindness and love in their lives."

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