Sekou Doucoure: two teens found guilty of killing 16-year-old in Birmingham

Two people have been found guilty of killing 16-year-old Sekou Doucoure in Birmingham.

Today, Wednesday 15 February at Coventry Crown Court, Pierre Thomas, and a 16-year-old who can’t be named becuase of his age, have been found guilty of manslaughter.

Around 6pm on 12 July, Sekou, a former Nottingham Forest academy player, was riding an electric scooter along Villa Street with a friend on an electric bike. As they approached Farm Street, 18-year-old Pierre Thomas rode a mountain bike towards them and pointed at them.

Sekou turned to ride towards him, but Thomas pulled a gun from his bag, just as the 16-year-old, and another man joined them, one with a knife and the other with a gun. Sekou, also armed with a knife, managed to run away as shots rang out. As he fled another man joined the offenders and chased after Sekou on Thomas’ mountain bike.

Sekou hid for around 20 minutes and then made his way to Burbury Street, where the man on the bike and now on foot caught up with him. Both were armed with knives and a scuffle ensued ending on a petrol station forecourt where Sekou received a fatal stab wound to his chest.

Armed police officers had responded to the shots fired in Villa Street and were searching the area when they were flagged down by members of the public. They found Sekou and immediately started CPR, but he could not be saved.

An investigation began involving viewing hours of CCTV to plot the movements of the suspects.

Warrants were conducted at the homes of Thomas and the 16-year-old, and the CCTV helped to plot their movements on the day Sekou was killed. Today Thomas and the 16-year-old who cannot be named due to his age, were found guilty of manslaughter and possession of an imitation firearm.

Police are continuing to appeal for information on the whereabouts of a 31-year-old man who they believe was involved in Sekou’s murder. Independent charity Crimestoppers are offering a reward of £10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of Ishmael Farquharson.

Police and family statement

Detective Inspector Laura Harrison, from the homicide unit, sad: “Sadly Sekou has become another statistic of too many young boys killed as a result of gang affiliation.

“It’s heart-breaking to see young lives to be cut short in such a brutal way. I cannot begin to imagine the grief his family still feel and I hope the convictions today give them some comfort.

“But we will not rest until we have found others who we know were involved in Sekou’s death and I appeal to anyone with any information to come forward.”

Today, Sekou’s family said: “Sekou was a 16-year-old boy who loved his family and loved football. He gave a different perspective on life and inspired people around him to be the best they can be and to follow whatever religion they wanted.

“He was quite talented in many regards when it came to his academics and especially when it came to sports and football. Despite his shortcomings everybody that was close to him can vouch for the fact that he would help anyone that was around him despite the severity of the problem and the extent to which it could affect him negatively. Words cannot truly express what kind of person he was.

“He was a good boy and son who would do anything for anyone. He is sorely missed by all the family particularly his sisters, brother and Mom.”