Footballer’s Killer Jailed After Two-Year International Manhunt

 

A man who fled the UK after killing teenage footballer Sekou Doucoure has been jailed following an international manhunt lasting over two years. Sekou, just 16 at the time of his death, had been a promising player with Nottingham Forest FC. His mother described him as “hardworking, kind and respectful,” making his loss all the more devastating.

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Ishmael Farquharson, 34, stabbed Sekou during a violent clash between rival gangs on Nursery Road in Birmingham in July 2022. After the attack, he fled the country and was eventually tracked down to Spain. Police arrested him in January 2024, and he was extradited to the UK to stand trial.

At Birmingham Crown Court, Farquharson was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 22 years in prison. He had originally faced a murder charge but was found guilty of the lesser offence. His conviction comes after two others, Pierre Thomas and a youth who cannot be named, were also jailed for their involvement in Sekou’s death in March 2023.

The court heard how Pierre Thomas had fired a blank-firing handgun twice at Sekou during the gang confrontation. Although the teenager fled initially, Thomas, Farquharson and a youth pursued him. When Farquharson caught up with him, a fight broke out in which Sekou was fatally stabbed in the chest. He died at the scene before emergency help could arrive.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Douglas Marshall described the case as a tragic reminder of the consequences of knife crime. He stressed that justice would always be pursued, no matter how long it took or how far a suspect might flee. Farquharson, who likely thought leaving the country would protect him, was ultimately proven wrong when Spanish authorities located and handed him over to the UK.

The sentencing brought some closure to Sekou’s grieving family, though his death continues to highlight the risks of youth violence and gang conflicts. His story stands as a warning about the devastating impact of knives on communities and the determination of authorities to bring justice for victims, even across international borders.

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