Donell Charles Convicted in Fatal Portsmouth Stabbing

Donell Charles, 23, has been found guilty of the fatal stabbing of a teenager and the assault of two other individuals in a city square. Police reported that in July 2023, Charles approached a group of friends who were seated on the steps of Portsmouth Guildhall and attacked them with a zombie-style knife. Portsmouth Crown Court heard that 18-year-old Aimen Ahmed, from Horndean, Hampshire, died a short time later. Charles, formerly of Southsea, admitted to manslaughter with diminished responsibility following a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Police stated that on 29 July, around 23:00 BST, the victims were watching a football match on a phone when Charles briefly spoke to them. Detectives added that he returned minutes later with a large, serrated blade and launched the attack. Aimen Ahmed was stabbed in the abdomen, while two other members of the group sustained minor injuries. Charles, formerly of St Peters Grove, was arrested two days later after repeatedly revisiting the scene and being identified. He was originally charged with murder, attempted murder, and causing actual bodily harm. However, the trial jury was informed that he was suffering a psychotic episode at the time of the attack. The judge directed jurors to accept the defendant’s pleas of guilty to manslaughter and two counts of causing actual bodily harm. Charles had also previously admitted to possessing the knife and failing to provide police with the code for his phone. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 17 December. Detective Inspector Elizabeth Brunt stated: “We hope that today’s result brings closure, but also some level of comfort to Aimen’s foster family.” Previously, the family had said: “Aimen was such a kind, beautiful and innocent soul whose huge infectious smile melted your heart and made you laugh. He was a boy with dreams and quiet determination, who worked hard at college and wanted to achieve something with his life.”