Tributes to teenager after fatal stabbing

Cards and bunches of flowers have been left in tribute to a 16-year-old boy who died after being stabbed in the neck in Huddersfield.

Ahmad Mamdouh Al Ibrahim died in hospital after being attacked in Ramsden Street on Thursday.

A temporary shrine to the teenager has been set up on the pavement near the scene, with flowers and messages being left by passers-by.

Alfie Franco, 20, from Kirkburton, appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with the teenager's murder and possessing a knife in a public place, and he was remanded in custody until his next expected appearance at the city's crown court on Tuesday.

Among those gathered at the scene earlier was Brian Cross, chair of trustees for the Shared Goods charity based in the town centre.

He said Ahmad was a Syrian asylum seeker who came to the charity last week.

"We were deeply shocked by this and it's rather moving that so many people have made floral tributes," Mr Cross said.

Stephen Gregson, 70, said he happened across the incident soon after it happened.

"That night I never slept," he said.

"All I could visualise was that young man laid on the floor.

"It was like something from a horror film.

"It was awful."

The retired 70-year-old from Heckmondwike returned to the scene to lay flowers.

"I'll never forget this. I'm still upset, even though I didn't know the lad," he said.

"I've got a 17-year-old granddaughter and to think that this has happened in broad daylight is quite worrying."

At least 40 bunches of flowers have so far been placed near the scene in the town centre.

One message read: "To the lad I didn't know. You've taken my heart. Love from a stranger."

A message of sorrow was also left by staff members from the nearby post office who wrote: "RIP. Young life gone so early."

It added that everyone at the post office was "thinking of the family".

Another message among the flowers, marked as being "from a stranger", said: "The Huddersfield community is saddened by this."

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