London, United Kingdom – Two individuals have been sentenced to life in prison for the violent murder of Farhad Khalili in Kingston. CCTV footage linked Sean Deery, 28, and Sebastian Niven, 18, to the brutal assault, which led to their convictions at the Old Bailey in December. The attack took place on December 15, 2021, when Khalili was ambushed and stabbed multiple times as he walked along Surbiton Crescent in Kingston.
Deery, who was of no fixed address at the time, has been given a minimum term of 25 years in prison, while Niven, who was 15 at the time of the attack, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 14 years in prison. Niven’s identity was revealed after reporting restrictions were lifted following his 18th birthday. The pair was labeled by the police for their “ferocity and intent to cause Farhad significant harm.”
One significant aspect of the case was the quick-time review of CCTV footage, which identified both Deery and Niven as the assailants. Deery was apprehended following his mistaken identification as a suspect in a separate robbery, while Niven fled on foot before being arrested the following day. Additionally, blood-stained clothing linked Niven to the attack.
Detective Inspector Jim Barry, from the Specialist Crime Command, commented on the case, stating, “While Farhad and his assailants were known to each other, it has never been established why they attacked him in such a violent manner.” The motives behind the attack have remained unclear.
The jury heard that despite efforts from emergency services, Khalili succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Barry also praised the actions of those on the scene, including the officers who responded to the call, and highlighted the support and assistance from the local community in quickly identifying and detaining the suspects.
The sentencing of Deery and Niven is hoped to bring some comfort to Khalili’s family and friends, who have been forced to cope with the tragic outcome of the merciless attack.