Father-of-Five Stabbed to Death Over £20 Drug Dispute
Darren Davis, a father of five, was stabbed once in the heart and bled to death after a fallout with his drug supplier, Faheem Younis. The tragic attack happened exactly one year ago in Radford, Nottingham.
Killer Lured Victim, Associate Dumped Weapon
At Nottingham Crown Court, it emerged that Younis, 42, of Graham Street, Radford, tricked Davis to a property before stabbing him fatally. On July 27, Younis was found guilty of murder. His accomplice, Laney Aikens, 40, was convicted of assisting an offender after CCTV caught him tossing the murder weapon into a drain nearby.
Life Behind Bars for Drug Dealer Killer
Younis, a Class A drug dealer, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 24 years before parole. Aikens received two-and-a-half years for hiding the knife, serving half in custody.
Two other men, Ryan Aziz, 35, and Levalle Likutu, 19, were cleared of murder charges.
Heartbreaking Details of the Final Moments
Jurors heard that on a scorching hot day, August 10 last year, Davis met Younis at the Graham Street address. After the stabbing, Davis fled down an alley into Ruskin Street before collapsing on Radford Boulevard. Paramedics rushed the 46-year-old to Queen’s Medical Centre where he later died.
Crucial Evidence and Confessions
- Blood pool found on Younis’ driveway with attempts to scrub it clean.
- Two knives with Younis’ DNA recovered near the crime scene.
- Shorts stained with Davis’ blood found at Aikens’ home.
- CCTV caught Younis riding Davis’ bike, passing his dying victim in the street.
Younis also confessed to a fellow inmate at HMP Nottingham, blaming a £20 drug deal gone wrong for the stabbing. The inmate told prison officials Davis had confronted Younis about being ripped off, sparking the attack.
Family Describes the Devastation
“He was very kind and helpful, always carrying bags for elderly people,” said Davis’ mother. “He was the best thing that had ever happened to me. No pain can describe how I feel. My heart is crushed. I am a broken mother.”
Davis’ fiancé called him her “best friend” since college, describing the “absolute devastation” caused by his death.
“He was so much more than his struggles. He loved his sons and had a heart of gold. He was proud of the family we made. Now all we have are memories,” she said.
Davis’ daughter called him a “kind, loving man” and her “best friend.”
Judge Slams Senseless Crime
Sentencing Younis, Judge Nirmal Shant KC condemned his actions as “senseless,” causing “tremendous suffering” over a £20 dispute. The judge told Younis: “When the police came to speak to you, you lied and lied again. You did everything you could to avoid apprehension.”
Addressing Aikens, the judge said he knowingly helped Younis “get away with murder” by disposing of the knife.
Police Praise Their Hard Work and Call for Justice
Detective Inspector Melanie Crutchley, from Nottinghamshire Police Major Crime Unit, welcomed the sentences.
“This was a terrible tragedy over a senseless drugs dispute. Drugs and knife crime ruin lives and communities. I hope these sentences bring some comfort to Darren’s family,” she said.
“Our dedicated teams worked relentlessly — reviewing hours of CCTV and gathering evidence — to bring these offenders to justice.”
DI Crutchley also highlighted the extra pain caused by Younis stealing and cycling away on Davis’ bike as he lay dying.
