Judges have ordered a fresh inquest into the death of Manchester Grammar student Yousef Makki. The family of the 17 year old who was stabbed to death in Hale Barns in 2019 say they were unhappy with the original inquest which has now been quashed
The Senior Coroner for South Manchester resumed the adjourned inquest into Yousef’s death between 8 and 17 November 2021. She determined that there was insufficient evidence to conclude whether the killing was lawful or unlawful, recording that the precise circumstances could not be ascertained even on the balance of probabilities.
The family were devastated by this conclusion and sought judicial review. The family contended that the Coroner had failed to properly consider all the evidence on the central issue, and therefore her conclusion was ‘Wednesbury’ unreasonable.
The High Court (Macur LJ and Fordham J) agreed, quashing the decision and directing a fresh inquest before a different Coroner.
Pete Weatherby KC and Matthew Stanbury of Park Square Barristers represented the family at the inquest and in the High Court. Pete commented:
“The family have acted with incredible dignity throughout the legal processes since Yousef’s death. They are very pleased with the High Court’s decision, and although they recognise that no legal process can bring Yousef back, they hope that some semblance of justice can now be obtained.”
Yousef Makki died as a result of a single stab wound to the chest, sustained during an incident in the street in a well-to-do suburb of South Manchester. Yousef was 17 at the time, he was doing exceptionally well at school studying for A levels, and he was expected to go onto University. The boy who wielded the flick knife which caused the fatal injury was subsequently tried for murder but acquitted.
