Liverpool Man Fatally Stabbed During Drug-Related 'Taxing' Robbery
A 47-year-old man was stabbed to death after a masked mob stormed a Liverpool flat during a violent drug-related robbery, a court has heard. Paul Foster sustained a fatal stab wound to the back during the incident on Muirhead Avenue in West Derby in the early hours of October 15, 2024.
Armed Group Targets Flat in Early Hours
The attackers, described as "tooled up" with a knife and an imitation firearm, are alleged to have stolen cash from the address before fleeing the scene. Prosecutors told Liverpool Crown Court that the group had traveled to the location specifically to rob Mr. Foster of his money and drugs in what is commonly known as a "taxing."
Four men and one woman—Elsadig Abrahim, 61; Zayd Alasaly, 23; Dylan Blundell, 26; Michael Fields, 50; and Sarah Kasseum, 41—are on trial accused of Mr. Foster's murder. All five defendants deny the charge of murder, though Fields has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Prosecution Details Violent Confrontation
David McLachlan KC, prosecuting, outlined how the group arrived at the flat in a black Kia Ceed shortly after 1:30 a.m. He stated that Kasseum was allegedly "deployed to gain entry" by using the intercom, posing as someone intending to purchase drugs from Mr. Foster.
When Lyndzi McCowan, the occupant of the flat, buzzed her in and went downstairs to investigate, she was confronted by three males dressed in black and wearing balaclavas. The men forced their way into the flat, demanding to know "where is he?", "where's the bits?", and "where's the money?" while armed with what appeared to be a gun.
During the confrontation, Mr. Foster was fatally stabbed in the back. The attackers fled with stolen cash, leaving behind a bloodstained piece of black metal identified as part of an air pistol. The knife used in the stabbing was never recovered.
Prosecution Argues Joint Enterprise
Mr. McLachlan asserted that the defendants shared a common purpose to rob Mr. Foster and were prepared to use violence if necessary. "The prosecution case is that, whilst the defendants went to rob Paul Foster, they did so in the knowledge that, if it got on top, they could resort to using the weapons that they had," he told the jury.
The prosecution contends that the stabbing was within the scope of a joint enterprise, with each defendant aware that weapons could be used to inflict serious harm. "The knife was not a toy, members of the jury," Mr. McLachlan emphasized.
Defendants' Pleas and Charges
In addition to murder, all five defendants deny possession of a bladed article in a public place. Abrahim, Alasaly, and Kasseum have also pleaded not guilty to robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offence. Blundell and Fields admit to those charges, with Fields additionally pleading guilty to manslaughter.
The trial, presided over by Judge Simon Medland KC, is expected to last five to six weeks. The jury of six men and six women will consider whether the defendants are guilty of murder in connection with the violent robbery that led to Mr. Foster's death.
