20/05/24

Man Given Life Sentence for Hartlepool Terrorist Attack

A terrorist who murdered a 70 year old man and attempted to murder a second person has today (Friday, May 17) been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 44 years and 152 days. 

Ahmed Ali Alid (01/01/79) of Wharton Terrace was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court after being found guilty, at a trial in April, of the Murder of Terence Carney, and the Attempted Murder of a 32 year old man on Sunday, October 15, 2023. He was also found guilty of two offences of Assaulting an Emergency Worker after attacking two police officers while in custody. 

At the sentencing hearing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb declared that the attacks were an act of terrorism.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley is Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East who led the investigation, supported by Cleveland Police. He said:

“In this case it was appropriate that the decision to declare this horrific incident as an act of terrorism was made once all the evidence had been heard by the court. 

“The defendant had expressed, during the time of his arrest and whilst in custody, that his actions were inspired by the Israel-Hamas conflict. He appeared to have developed a fixation with the events there. 

“International conflicts can create a mix of outrage, grief and grievance which has the potential to galvanise those with an extremist or potentially extremist mind-set to take action. Sadly, as we have seen in this case, it can have devastating consequences.  

“Nothing can justify the actions of the defendant that day. I have no doubt that the bravery of the Cleveland officers involved in the initial response prevented further harm or loss of life that morning. Today’s sentence reflects the shocking and horrendous nature of the crimes this man has committed. 

“I again wish to pass on our deepest sympathies to Mr Carney’s family. Throughout the months following the incident, and during the trial, they have shown great dignity. We ask that their wishes are respected, and they are given the time to grieve in private.” 

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