Mohamed Abdi Noor died in December 2023. Police said if you are concerned about knife crime – and in particular if you know somebody who carries a weapon, has been a victim or is at risk of becoming a victim – please visit the Crimestoppers website or the Met’s ‘Stop Knife Crime’ web pages.

WATCH OUR ONLINE HISTORY CHANNEL, UNTOLD LONDON, ON YOUTUBE

A DETECTIVE said there were “no winners” in a murder case which left a young man dead and a teenager locked away for more than two decades.

Sanchez Tate, 18, was handed a life sentence at the Old Bailey on Friday after being found guilty of killing Mohamed Abdi Noor, 21. The minimum he will serve is 22 years.

The sentencing came nearly a year after Mr Abdi Noor’s death in hospital after being stabbed in Tufnell Park Road, Holloway.

A jury did not believe Mr Tate’s claim that he was acting in self-defence and his trial had heard how the victim died from a wound to the chest.

Mr Abdi Noor repeated the name ‘Sanchez’ in his dying breath before falling unconscious, the Old Bailey also heard.

Sanchez Tate

There had been a dispute over whether Tate had knocked over Mr Abdi Noor’s motorbike.

Detective Inspector Larry Smith said after the sentence had been delivered: “This escalated tragically to physical violence, and was further accelerated by the fact that Sanchez Tate was carrying a sword with a 43.5cm long blade and made the terrible choice to use it.

“My thoughts are with Mohamed’s family and those who knew him, who have lost a dearly loved family member and friend.”

He added: “I am also mindful that there are no winners in this case and Tate, who was 17 years of age at the time, will have many years in prison to reflect on the callous stupidity of his actions.”

Flowers at the scene

DI Smith added: “The investigation team would like to thank the witnesses to this shocking incident, who stepped in to try to stop it.

“They also alerted emergency services, assisted with first aid, made statements to police and gave crucial evidence at the trial.”

The two men were not friends, but knew each other as they lived on the same street.

Mr Abdi Noor had been known by friends as “Blanco” and was part of a group of cyclists called the Fixed Pirates Crew. He was described as “funny, clever and kind”.