A defendant has admitted manslaughter after a man died following an altercation in Canterbury city centre. Samare Gerezgihir, 23, died in the early hours of 11 October 2024 after he was stabbed in a courtyard off the city’s High Street.
Enquiries at the scene led to Mohammed Nour Hgar, 32, being arrested in Herne Bay the same morning. During the ensuing investigation, detectives found that Hgar and another man had encountered Mr Gerezgihir and a group of people in the High Street shortly before 11.30pm on 10 October. A short altercation occurred, during which Hgar armed himself with a knife and stabbed Mr Gerezgihir in the chest, causing catastrophic injuries. Emergency services were quickly on the scene but were unable to save the victim’s life.
CCTV enquiries established that Hgar and another man had been seen leaving the city centre before getting a taxi to Herne Bay, where he was located and arrested at around 5am the same morning. Hgar had changed his clothing shortly after the incident.
On 14 October, Hgar, of no fixed address, was charged with murder. However, during a trial at Canterbury Crown Court, he admitted manslaughter on the grounds of excessive self-defence. He will be sentenced later this year.
No further evidence has been offered against a second man accused of murder and he has been found not guilty.
Kent Police’s senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Colin McKeen said:
‘This case illustrates the fatal consequences of arming yourself with a knife during a dispute. A man has lost his life and another is facing a lengthy term in prison.
‘I am pleased we were quickly able to identify the perpetrator of this terrible offence, who has now been brought to justice.’