Liban Ali, identified by a single fingerprint, has been sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for the manslaughter of Andre Foster, 44, in December 2022. The tragic incident occurred in a flat in Kilburn, where Ali admitted to stabbing Foster in the neck during a fight. Initially attempting to evade police, Ali was swiftly tracked down and arrested by Metropolitan Police officers just three days later.

The murder investigation, launched promptly after the incident, led detectives to trace Ali’s movements across the UK. Despite his attempts to flee to Nottingham, Ali’s journey was meticulously pieced together using CCTV, ultimately resulting in his arrest. Crucial to his identification as the suspect was the fast-track forensic work on a single fingerprint found in the Kilburn address’s bathroom sink, which matched Ali’s record in the police database due to his prior convictions for drugs and weapon-related offences.

Detective Inspector Jonny Newell, leading the investigation, described the case as a tragic instance of unnecessary violence, expressing condolences to Foster’s grieving family. He emphasized Ali’s criminal history and stated that justice had been served with Ali’s imprisonment.

In response, a spokesperson for Foster’s family expressed relief at the justice served but noted that no sentence could replace Andre’s life. Describing Andre as a caring and loving individual, they highlighted the devastating impact his loss had on his loved ones and stressed the need for harsher sentencing and increased efforts to combat knife crimes.

The fatal incident occurred on December 20, 2022, at a residential address on Mowbray Road, NW6, where Foster was fatally stabbed. Ali, 31, was also charged with drug offences and possession of a bladed article at the time of his arrest. While initially facing a murder charge, the prosecution accepted a guilty plea of manslaughter at the Old Bailey on January 23, along with other charges related to separate offences.

Ali’s sentencing, totalling 13 years’ imprisonment, includes nine years for manslaughter, with additional years for drug-related offences, possession of an offensive weapon, and unlawful wounding in a separate incident.

The case highlights both the importance of forensic evidence in criminal investigations and the ongoing challenge of combating violent crime in communities.