Cardiff man guilty of murder after stabbing 21-year-old Asim Khan in row over spilled drink

A Cardiff man has been convicted of murder after stabbing a 21-year-old following an argument over a spilled drink.

Momodoulamin Saine, who is 28 and from Ely, stabbed Asim Khan, from Grangetown, twice, causing fatal injuries.

The men were at the Soda Bar on Mill Lane in Cardiff city centre on 21 July last year, when the victim's 24-year-old brother, Hamza Khan, accidentally kicked over a drink belonging to Saine.

When the men crossed paths again later in St Mary’s Street, Saine reacted by picking up a drink and throwing it at Hamza Khan, leading to a confrontation.

Saine left the area, only to return a short time later, where a fight broke out between the men.

CCTV footage that night shows the altercation starting in the street near McDonald’s on St Mary's Street, before moving towards the Oxfam store.

The court heard that Momodoulamin Saine and Asim Khan ended up on the ground, with Hamza Khan repeatedly kicking Saine in the head. 

It was during this that Saine took out a knife and stabbed Asim Khan twice, causing fatal injuries.

Prosecutor Caroline Rees QC said Saine and Hamza Khan were both “fuelled by anger” after the spilled drink "ignited the fire which burnt out of control."

She suggested Saine was “goading” the Khan brothers, adding: “The only reason for behaving in that way is to pick a fight.”

Saine had denied murder on the grounds that he was acting in lawful self-defence.David Elias QC, for Saine, said: “He has never sought to blame anything he did on that night on mental illness.“He has always said the same thing: ‘I did it. I pulled that knife out because I had to. I had to because of the attack I was under.’“That knife was not produced at all until he was on the floor being kicked to the head.”

Saine was found guilty of murder by a jury after around seven hours of deliberation. He will be sentenced at Newport Crown Court on 21 July.

Thomas Edwards, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Momodoulamin Saine’s decision to go out with a knife that night resulted in tragic consequences that can never be reversed.

“Our thoughts remain with Asim’s family and friends over their loss.”

For his part in the fight, Hamza Khan was convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

He had pleaded not guilty, saying that he was trying to protect his brother.

Christopher Rees, for Hamza Khan, said his client was harassed and racially abused by Saine in the run-up to the stabbing.He added: “Of course he was traumatised. It was a shocking and bewildering series of events - something you would not wish upon your worst enemy.”

Hamza Khan will be sentenced at Newport Crown Court on 31 July.