Man found guilty of murder in east Bristol

A 19-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering a man on Stapleton Road, Bristol, earlier this year. 

Mustafa Ali, from Fishponds, was found guilty of murdering 47-year-old Leon Phillips by a jury who delivered a majority verdict at Bristol Crown Court today (Tuesday 10 November). 

The court heard how, on Monday 2 February, Ali met up with four other males at Pepe’s on Stapleton Road. 

It was there that Ali met Leon and stabbed him at a bus stop. 

Officers travelling through the area to another incident stopped to come to Leon’s aid and an ambulance was called. 

He sustained stab wounds to his abdomen, upper right thigh and buttock. He succumbed to his injuries in hospital and died on Tuesday morning (3 February). 

During his opening remarks, prosecutor Andrew Langdon KC described Leon Phillips as a “well-known character” in the neighbourhood. 

He said: “Leon would often be seen, either on foot or on a bicycle, in the vicinity of Stapleton Road. On the night of 2 February he was on a bicycle, travelling with another man, when they approached a bus stop outside Maliks Supermarket. 

“At the bus stop were five young men, including the defendant, Mustafa Ali, and Leon cycled right up to them.” 

It was the prosecution’s case that Mr Phillips was immediately pushed and stabbed by Mustafa Ali, causing him to fall from his bike. 

The violence was captured by multiple CCTV cameras, and clips shown to the jury showed the victim could be heard crying out. 

Mustafa Ali and four other people were arrested at the scene by officers who had been enroute to another incident further down Stapleton Road. 

Two officers gave chase to four of the men while other resources arrived at the scene to tend to Leon. 

The knife used to stab Leon was located in a nearby alleyway, while CCTV captured Ali throwing it away as he fled the scene. 

An investigation was launched by the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) and charges were brought against five men aged between 18 and 20, including Ali, but proceedings against four were later discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service. 

Detective Chief Inspector Lucy Edgeworth, the Senior Investigating Officer, said:  

“This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that knife carrying can have on individuals, families and communities. 

“What may start as a perceived means of protection can quickly lead to irreversible consequences 

“Behind every incident of knife crime is a family who has lost a loved one and communities that have suffered lasting harm. 

“We will continue to pursue those involved in violence, but preventing future tragedies also depends on communities, partner agencies, youth services and families working together to help vulnerable people find safer and more positive paths in life.” 

Ali will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court at a later date and has been remanded into custody ahead of the hearing.