Mahir Osman: 14th ‘gang member’ Ahmed Farah in court

Published: 25th November, 2010
by DAVID ST GEORGE

A FOURTEENTH alleged gang member has denied murdering a teenage student in Camden Town nearly five years ago.

Ahmed Farah, who has been sought by police since Mahir Osman was stabbed to death, made a brief appearance yesterday (Wednesday) at the Old Bailey having recently been arrested.

Farah, from Islington, spoke via a video link from Belmarsh Prison in Woolwich where he is being held on remand.

The 24-year-old entered not guilty pleas to charges of ­murder, violent disorder and conspiracy to wound.

After hearing from his counsel, Jane Lockyer, the Judge, Common Serjeant of London Brian Barker, fixed his trial for January 14.

Thirteen members of a 40-strong gang which left 18 year-old Mahir dying from multiple stab wounds outside Camden Town Tube station on January 28, 2006 have been sentenced. 

Three were given life sentences for the murder of the mechanical engineering student, who was a relative of former Lazio footballer Fabio Liverani.

He lived in Adelaide Road, Swiss Cottage.

Mahir, known as “Smiley”, was targeted after an escalation of “tit for tat” attacks among Somali gangs in north London.

As dozens of horrified passers-by watched, he was surrounded and stabbed 17 times within 19 seconds.

“His body was left like a pin cushion,” said prosecutor Brendan Finucane, QC.