Manslaughter guilty plea after city centre death

A man has admitted to manslaughter after a fatal stabbing following an altercation in Canterbury city centre.

Samare Gerezgihir, 23, died on 11 October 2024 after he was stabbed in a courtyard near the city's High Street, Kent Police said.

Mohammed Hgar, 32, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Tuesday at Canterbury Crown Court.

Hgar and a second man, Kemal Ibrahim, previously pleaded not guilty to murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Police said no further evidence had been offered against Mr Ibrahim and he had been found not guilty.

Hgar, of no fixed address, will be sentenced on 4 July.

Detectives found that Hgar had encountered Mr Gerezgihir and a group of people in the High Street shortly before 23:30 BST on 10 October, and during a short altercation, Hgar armed himself with a knife and stabbed Mr Gerezgihir in the chest.

Emergency services were unable to save the victim's life, the force said.

Police said enquiries at the scene led to Hgar being arrested in Herne Bay later on the same day as the attack.

Det Insp Colin McKeen said: "This case illustrates the fatal consequences of arming yourself with a knife during a dispute.

"A man has lost his life and another is facing a lengthy term in prison.

"I am pleased we were quickly able to identify the perpetrator of this terrible offence, who has now been brought to justice."

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