Four people have been jailed following the murder of business student Bereket Selomun, who was found dead in Stevenage in 2022.
Jelani Omar, Malake Fiseha, Natnael Hadgu and Robel Msgane were all handed jail sentences at St Albans Crown Court today (Friday, March 22).
Bereket's body was found by a dog walker in woodland off Brittain Way, next to Fairlands Valley Park, shortly before 7.30am on Thursday July 7, 2022.
The 20-year-old, who had travelled to the UK for a “safer and better” life, had suffered a minimum of eight stab wounds.
Jelani Omar, aged 25 - of Plash Drive, Stevenage - had fallen out with the victim prior to the murder.
He was convicted of murder and today jailed for life. Judge Richard Foster said he must serve a minimum of 22 year before his release, when he will be automatically deported.
Malake Fiseha, 25, and Natnael Hadgu, 20 - of Manor View and Ripon Road - were found guilty of manslaughter.
They were both jailed for nine years and face automatic deportation on their release.
Robel Msgane, aged 23 - of no fixed abode - was found guilty of assisting an offender.
He was jailed for four years and will also face automatic deportation.
Bereket’s brother Michale Solomun said: “No words could ever explain or put into context how we have felt since Bereket was taken from us in such horrific circumstances.
“He fled Eritrea in the hopes of living a safer and better life in the UK, only to have his life brutally cut short.
“Bereket was a gregarious, courteous, altruistic, generous, hard-working, and peace-loving young man. His ambition was to study Business Management and go on to run his own business one day. This choice has been taken from him.
“Bereket’s death has left a void in our family that cannot be repaired.”
Detective Inspector Iain MacPherson added: "Our thoughts remain with Bereket’s family at this extremely difficult time.
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“Bereket was a young man who had his life in front of him.
"He had settled in Hertfordshire having come to this country from Eritrea.
"He was murdered following a dispute with people he knew and who had also settled in this country having come from Eritrea.
“Of course, nothing can bring Bereket back, however we hope the guilty verdicts will be welcomed by Bereket’s family and give them some justice."
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