An Edinburgh man was today jailed for seven years and nine months after admitting trying to murder a Syrian refugee.
On the evening of 2 May 2018, Sean Gorman (18) was visiting friends at an Edinburgh hostel where they were drinking alcohol and playing loud music.
At around midnight, a 25 year old Syrian man knocked on the door and asked that they turn the music down. On two occasions the door was closed in his face and the third time he knocked Gorman confronted him and then followed him out of the door.
After an altercation between the two, the victim went to the hostel manager’s office and in front of the manager the two men became involved in a heated discussion during which Gorman pulled a knife from his pocket.
He brandished the knife while gesturing with the blade and making verbal threats. Gorman stabbed his victim and when the man tried to wrestle himself away and escape, Gorman stabbed him several more times.
During the incident Gorman was heard to tell his victim to “Go way from here” and to go back to his own country.
At the High Court in Edinburgh today Gorman was sentenced to seven years and nine months imprisonment and a further extended sentence of four years. The total sentence was discounted from 16 years because of an early plea.
Speaking following the sentencing, Nicky Patrick, Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime, said: “It is clear that Sean Gorman chose to arm himself and confront his victim with the purpose of doing him serious harm. The man he so brutally stabbed is lucky to be alive and will be left with severe physical and mental scars he will always carry.
“Sean Gorman is a very dangerous individual who poses a significant risk to the public. The lengthy sentence passed on him today reflects the gravity of his actions.
“Racism and the use of blades as weapons is completely unacceptable, leading inevitably to tragic deaths and ruined lives. We will continue to do our utmost to prosecute those who are responsible for such abhorrent offences.”
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Grainger of Edinburgh Division’s CID said: “Gorman used appalling racist language before perpetrating significant violence against the victim, who was left fighting for his life.
“I cannot condemn the circumstances of this case strongly enough. Edinburgh thrives on diversity and Gorman’s actions do not in any way reflect the values of our city.
“Significant support has been shown across the capital for the victim and his family, which is far more representative of the strength of inclusivity across our communities.
“We welcome a custodial sentence and our thoughts remain with the victim and his family as they continue to try and move forward with their lives.”
Mr Ali’s lawyer Aamer Anwar also welcomed the sentence. He said: “Shabaz’s father Silvan Ali welcomes the significant sentence imposed today by Lord Woolman and the message sent out to violent racists like Sean Gorman.
“On May 3, Sean Gorman and his gang of thugs racially abused and threatened Shabaz Ali and his female cousin as he tried to protect her.
“He shouted ‘why don’t you go back to your own country’. Shabaz Ali is a 25-year-old Kurdish man who sought sanctuary in Scotland having escaped ISIS who murdered nine members of his family in Syria.
“Sean Gorman went onto attack him stabbing him six times in the chest and back. He was lucky to survive and it is likely he will never fully recover. Shabaz Ali is lucky to be alive.”
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