'You have shown no remorse for the killing of Tcherno Ly': Murderers handed life sentences over death of 21-year-old man stabbed to death at Chapeltown Carnival

Two killers were told they had shown no remorse over the fatal stabbing of a 21-year-old man at Chapeltown Carnival as they were handed life sentences for murder.
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Beni Nami was told he must serve a minimum of 20 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering Tcherno Ly during the annual bank holiday weekend celebrations.

The 20-year-old used a 'Rambo-style' knife to inflict the fatal knife wound to Mr Ly's chest as the two men fought on Chapeltown Road.

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Hussein Semusu was told he must serve a minimum of 16 years in custody after he was also unanimously found guilty of murder after a trial at Leeds Crown Court.The stabbing took place as Chapeltown Road was packed with people enjoying the carnival weekend on August 25 last year.

Beni Nami, top left, and Hussein Sumusu, bottom left, have been given life sentences for the murder of Tcherno Ly, right.Beni Nami, top left, and Hussein Sumusu, bottom left, have been given life sentences for the murder of Tcherno Ly, right.
Beni Nami, top left, and Hussein Sumusu, bottom left, have been given life sentences for the murder of Tcherno Ly, right.

Nami and Mr Ly had fought with each other just over a fortnight previously and both were armed with knives on the night of the fatal stabbing.

Nami also suffered a knife wound to his chest as the two men fought.

The jury heard Semusu encouraged his friend to carry out the attack and provided "back-up" for the confrontation

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Sentencing, Mr Justice Cavangah: "The stabbing took place at night, in a public place, surrounded by members of the public, who will no doubt have been terrified by what they witnessed."

Beni Namie must serve 20 years in prison before he is eligible to apply for parole.Beni Namie must serve 20 years in prison before he is eligible to apply for parole.
Beni Namie must serve 20 years in prison before he is eligible to apply for parole.

The judge told Nami he had been the "prime mover" in the killing, saying: "It was your idea, and it was carried out to further your feud with Tcherno Ly.

"You were the person who brought the knife to the scene and you were the person who stabbed Mr Ly.."

"You have shown no remorse for the killing of Tcherno Ly."

The judge told Semusu: "You too, have shown no significant remorse."

Hessein Semusu must serve a minimum sentence of 16 years.Hessein Semusu must serve a minimum sentence of 16 years.
Hessein Semusu must serve a minimum sentence of 16 years.
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The court heard both defendants have previous convictions for knife-related crime.

In October 2018, Nami threatened to stab someone before ordering him to give him his bicycle.

Semusu has a previous conviction for possessing a machete in public and two for possessing an offensive weapon in a young offender institution.

The court heard Mr Ly had been born in Guinea-Bissau and had spent some time living in Portugal before moving to England and settling in Leeds with his step-mum.

Tcherno LyTcherno Ly
Tcherno Ly
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He was doing a business studies college course at the time of his death and was described by relatives as "a happy, helpful, and family-minded young man, who was loved by his family and friends."

My Ly's family said in a statement released after the hearing: “We all miss Tcherno dearly and we are still struggling to come to terms with losing him so suddenly like this in such a terrible way.

“He came to the UK for a better life, but that young life was taken away in horrific circumstances.

“We have been determined to see justice done in his memory, and we would like to thank West Yorkshire Police for all their hard work and support.

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“Tcherno’s mother is particularly grateful for the help the police gave her to get back to the UK from Guinea-Bissau for Tcherno’s funeral and for the trial.”

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Vanessa Rolfe, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Tcherno Ly’s young life was cut tragically short when he was stabbed and fatally wounded in a street busy with people socialising for the carnival weekend.

“His death, in such sudden and brutal circumstances, shows the terrible human cost of young men carrying knives and being prepared to use them to settle their differences.

“His family have been left completely devastated and we can only hope that seeing those responsible brought to justice will provide some small measure of comfort to them as they try to continue their lives without him.

“We also hope it will serve as a stark reminder to those who think they can carry and use knives without having to face serious consequences.”