Teenager arrested over fatal screwdriver stabbing

Boy, aged 16, held on suspicion of murder after a Birmingham father was stabbed in head at children's play area

Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Friday 19 March 2010 10.39 GMT

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a father was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver.

The Birmingham teenager was detained last night by officers investigating the death of Sarfraz Khan, West Midlands police said.

The 24-year-old, from Hodge Hill, Birmingham, died in hospital earlier this week, four days after being stabbed during an argument near a children's play area in the Sparkbrook area.

Detectives believe Khan, who has two daughters aged two and four, became involved in an argument after a group of up to eight teenagers, including at least two girls, objected to him urinating at the play area.

Officers were still appealing for witnesses and were keen to speak to two female teenagers who they believe were at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Baker, the senior investigating officer in the case, said police wanted to trace a teenage boy thought to be aged 16 or 17.

"I am appealing specifically to the girls who were in the group on Friday night to come forward.

"We have a proven track record in protecting witnesses and in the first instance all information provided to us will be treated in the strictest of confidence."

Baker said early inquiries suggested the wanted boy was Asian or of mixed race.

"This is now a murder inquiry so he needs to come forward – it is in his best interests to do so."

Releasing an e-fit of the teenager, Baker confirmed that the 20cm (8in) screwdriver had been recovered by detectives.

"From what we know from statements that we have got from friends of Sarfraz, it would appear that this was entirely spontaneous. It's an argument that escalated.

"We don't think there was any historical connection between Sarfraz and any of these individuals."

Khan's relatives have paid tribute to him as a considerate and caring man.

In a statement issued by West Midlands police, the victim's family said: "He had two daughters who are still waiting for their daddy to come back.

"The family is devastated and are suffering because of his death, which has caused a lot of grief and sorrow."

From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/19/teenager-arrested-fatal-screwdriver-stabbing