Man Found Guilty of Fatal Shop Stabbing in Wood Green
A 24-year-old man has been convicted of murdering a shop assistant in Wood Green. Ehsannullah Mohabat, who has no fixed address, was found guilty of fatally stabbing Irfan Ahmed, 24, at the Old Bailey on Friday, 25 May after a two-week trial.
Mohabat will be sentenced on Tuesday, 29 May.
Fatal Stabbing Shocks Wood Green Butcher’s Shop
The stabbing happened at 3.10pm on 29 September 2011 inside Halal Food Direct on The Broadway, Wood Green. Police were called to the butcher’s shop where staff member Irfan Ahmed was found unconscious with a stab wound to his chest.
Despite efforts by the London Ambulance Service, Ahmed tragically died at the scene. The Metropolitan Police’s Homicide and Major Crime Command launched a full investigation. A post-mortem confirmed the cause of death as a chest stab wound.
Heated Argument Ends in Murder
The court heard how Mohabat entered the shop and started insulting Mr Ahmed, who was behind the meat counter. When asked to leave, tempers flared. As a colleague stepped in to help, Ahmed was stabbed. Mohabat was seen holding a knife and then fled the scene.
CCTV showed Mohabat attempting to board a bus, only to jump off when he couldn’t pay. Police later found the blood-stained knife at the scene.
Escape, Capture and Justice Served
Mohabat sped away from London, reportedly heading to Gloucester, before fleeing the UK. He was flagged as wanted by Interpol. In late 2012, Turkish authorities arrested him for drug offences. After serving that sentence, he was extradited back to the UK and charged on 16 December 2017 with murder, manslaughter, and knife possession.
Family Speaks Out in Heartbreaking Impact Statement
Zeeshan Ahmad, Irfan’s brother, said from Pakistan: “Our family is academic and values education. Irfan was broad-minded and loved learning. It was his dream to study and settle in London. Our parents even sold the family home to help him come to the UK.”
“Irfan was a good person, against violence. His murder shattered his dreams and our lives. Our mother just looks at his photo and cries. We want justice served—if this man is not punished, we fear he could harm others again.”
