Preston: Teen sentenced to life in prison for murder

Joshua Boardman, 17, of Holman Street in Preston, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 14 years and seven months today (November 30) for the murder of Hiwa Ali-Khani in the city.

Police were called around 6.25pm on July 8 to Raikes Road after a report of an assault.

Emergency services attended and found Mr Ali-Khani, 27, from Preston, with a stab wound to the chest.

He was treated by paramedics and taken to Royal Preston Hospital but later died.

A post-mortem examination gave a cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

Police made a number of arrests, launching a murder inquiry.

Detectives discovered Mr Ali-Khani had been sat in his car, a black Audi, when he was approached by Boardman.

He believed Mr Ali-Khani was another man, who he suspected was sending messages to one of his friends, a teenage girl.

Hiwa Ali-Khani (Image: Lancashire Police)

Boardman got into the car and started to argue with Mr Ali-Khani, before both got out and the confrontation continued on the street.

During the confrontation he stabbed Mr Ali-Khani to the elbow, leg and chest and he collapsed.

Boardman was arrested that evening close to the scene and later charged with murder.

He pleaded guilty to the offence, as well as possession of a bladed article and was handed a life sentence. He must serve a minimum of 14 years and seven months before he will be considered for release.

Restrictions around reporting Boardman’s identity were lifted by the judge at Preston Crown Court.

Det Ch Insp Mark Haworth-Oates, of Lancashire Police’s major investigation team, said: “Mr Ali-Khani’s death was shocking, tragic and wholly avoidable.

"He was simply going about his normal daily life when he was attacked for no reason, in a case of mistaken identity.

“The man who Boardman intended to attack was sat nearby in his own vehicle – he witnessed the stabbing and went to the aid of the victim.

"Although he didn’t realise it at the time, he was watching what could have been his own murder, unfold before him.

“Once again this investigation shows the devastating impact that knife crime has. The incident lasted for less than a minute, but the consequences are felt far and wide.

“Mr Ali-Khani’s family will never get over losing him which is a pain which is even more acute given that he had done absolutely nothing wrong.

"The family and friends of Boardman have also had their lives changed – all a consequence of the decision that he made to take a knife onto the street and carry out an attack.

“Thankfully, the evidence in the case was overwhelming and he pleaded guilty, which at least spares Mr Ali-Khani’s family the ordeal of listening to upsetting and distressing evidence at trial.

“We welcome the sentence handed down at court today. It will understandably never be enough for Mr Ali-Khani’s family, they have lost their loved one in the most appalling of circumstances and now have to live with that void in their lives. Our thoughts remain with them at this very sad and difficult time.”

The family of Mr Ali-Khani said: “Hiwa was a decent person with a good personality and he believed everyone was good.

“He was a very optimistic person and had lots of plans and desires for the future. He was hoping to get married, and he was telling us about the names that he would like to give to his children.

“Hiwa’s murder not only shocked us but damaged our lives forever.

“He was an innocent person who was killed in a very brutal way.

“His murderer not only buried Hiwa’s beautiful wishes and aspirations but the laughs, happiness, and beauty of our lives with it.”