By Andrew Robinson,Helena Vesty,Isla Storie

Copyright dailyrecord

A teenager who fled conflict in Syria and came to the UK in search of a better life was brutally murdered after just two weeks. Known only as Ahmad, the 16-year-old moved from the city of Homs, after being injured in a bombing , first to Swansea, then to be near family in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in March 2025. He enrolled in a local college and started learning English, as he dreamed of becoming a doctor to help others after experiencing the horrific effects of war. On April 3, he crossed paths with Alfie Franco, 20, in the town centre. Although behaving in a “perfectly peaceful manner”, he may have brushed past Franco’s girlfriend as he walked along Ramsden Street. Just a few seconds later, Franco confronted him and stabbed him in the neck with a flick knife. He was known to have violent fantasies, a drug addiction and an obsession with knives. Ahmad suffered massive blood loss immediately, and collapsed further up the street. He tragically died a short while later, the Manchester Evening News reports . Franco pocketed the blade after wiping the blood from it and fled the scene. He was later arrested and charged with Ahmad’s murder. He was found guilty on Thursday, October 9, and is due to be sentenced on Friday, October 10. The horrific murder shocked the town. Although few people knew Ahmad, locals left cards and flowers on the street, and shared their horror and disgust at the incident . One card, left with a bouquet, read: “Rest in peace young man, everyone’s thoughts are with you and your family at this time.” Another said: “To the lad I don’t know. You’ve taken my heart. Love from a stranger.” One woman told Yorkshire Live at the time: “I am just so very sad. It is so painful. I saw the aftermath and have just come to see the flowers. I am going to Tesco’s now to get some flowers.” A man who left flowers said: “It’s just heartbreaking. I heard he had only been in Huddersfield six days. “Did he come here for a better life – and then he lost his life? So heartbreaking.” The teenager’s body was returned to Syria after a fundraising page set up by local businessman Maneer Siddique received generous donations . Mr Siddique said the town had been “rocked” by the death, adding: “Ahmad didn’t get the chance to experience the safety and future he came here hoping for. Helping grant this final wish of his mother is the least we can do.” Ahmad’s uncle revealed his nephew had just celebrated the festival of Eid alongside his four young cousins, who had all shared food and laughter following Ramadan. The uncle, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had encouraged Ahmad to explore the town and make new friends. At the time, he couldn’t bring himself to tell his children their cousin had died. Speaking in April, he said: “He came to Huddersfield to be with me – that’s what his dad wanted.” He thought of Huddersfield as a safe place after fleeing from Syria himself. He added: The uncle had also fled Syria and thought of Huddersfield as a safe place. “I have been here seven or eight years,” he said. “I think it is a safe place. I don’t worry before now. “We ran away from the war in Syria. We ran away from Syria to be safe. That’s what Ahmad did as well. He came for education. He wished to be a doctor. He lost his life.” He remembered his nephew as a “good boy” from a “nice family” who did well in school and had ambitions of becoming a doctor and helping others. His mum and three sisters were still back in Syria. Ahmad was learning English and had a confirmed place at Kirklees College, where he was due to start just a month after he died. Sharing more memories, his uncle said: “He was the best in class. His teacher said he was number one at maths. “He loved to joke all the time. He was just laughing and joking. “He was a lovely boy – he would play with my kids, We had Ramadan and then the Eid celebration. They all prayed together and ate food together. It has really affected them. “My kids love him so much. He played with them. He gave them a lot of time. He was loving it.” He revealed it was only Ahmad’s second visit to the town centre when he was attacked. He was being shown around by his cousin, who also planned to take him to the college . He said he had received several messages from people in Swansea, where Ahmad first lived when he came to the UK. He said: “Every day they are crying for him and sending me messages. They talk about Ahmad.”