Killing of Yousef Makki was unlawful, coroner concludes

The tragic teenager was stabbed in the heart with a flick knife by a friend, Joshua Molnar, and in front of another friend, Adam Chowdhary, on Gorse Bank Road, Hale Barns, more than four and a half years ago.

At Stockport Coroner's Court last week, coroner Geraint Williams heard the accounts of Mr Molnar, who argued he was acting in self-defence, and Mr Chowdhary, who argued he was not watching at the time.

On Wednesday, Mr Williams threw out the accounts and he came to a conclusion the killing of Mr Makki was an unlawful killing as a result.

The outcome of this inquest is at odds with the outcome of another inquest which was quashed by the High Court after an appeal this year.

On Wednesday, Mr Williams said: "I conclude Mr Makki didn't use a knife to attack or to threaten Mr Molnar.

"Mr Molnar didn't believe he needed to use force against Mr Makki. I conclude he wasn't acting in self-defence.

"My conclusion is Mr Makki was unlawfully killed," he added, to a gasp from a courtroom full of family and friends as well as the media.

The outcome of this inquest is also at odds with the outcome at Crown Court where Mr Molnar was cleared of murder and manslaughter.

He received a 16-month detention order for possession of a knife and perverting the course of justice, for lying to the police at the scene, while Mr Chowdhary received a four-month detention order for possession of a knife.

The sister of Mr Makki, Jade Akoum, said she was delighted with the outcome while her lawyer, Pete Weatherby KC, said it is over to the police and to the Crown Prosecution Service to review whether to reopen the case.

Ms Akoum said: "We are delighted the coroner recognised Yousef was unlawfully killed and this is now the record of what happened to him.

"I once thought justice was Joshua Molnar being in prison for the rest of his life. 

"I now think justice is what we received today and for him to live his life knowing his actions took Yousef away from us and from this world."

Detective Chief Superintendent Jonathan Chadwick, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We note the verdict delivered by the coroner at Yousef's inquest. Our thoughts remain with Yousef’s family and we will continue to support them in any way we can.

“We do not underestimate the impact his death has had on his loved ones and the trauma of ongoing proceedings, four and a half years on. We understand no outcome will bring Yousef back or lessen their heartbreak.

"Greater Manchester Police will now carefully review the ruling in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service before considering further steps."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.