Three individuals, including a woman and two teenagers, have been sentenced to prison for their roles in the murder of 24-year-old Sacad Ali, who was brutally killed with machetes after being lured to Ponderosa Park in Sheffield. The presiding judge noted the role of drugs and violence as central themes of this tragic case.
Rebecca Moore, 25, along with Barney Griffin, 18, and Jack Douglas, 17, were implicated in the gruesome attack which took place during the early morning of March 9, 2024. Ali had been unwinding at his friend's place near Netherthorpe, engrossed in video games when he received what he believed to be an innocent phone call from Moore, who reached out to him from an unknown number just after 4 AM.
The phone call was part of Moore's plot to deceive Ali. She convinced him to meet her for what was implied to be sexual relations. Unfortunately, this was nothing more than bait. The moment Ali stepped foot inside Ponderosa Park, he was confronted by Griffin and Douglas, who had been lurking nearby, waiting to ambush him. According to reports, he begged them to stop as they unleashed their violent assault, aiming lethal blows at him with their weapons.
The sound of his desperate pleas echoed through the empty park, but his attackers continued until he was left with fatal injuries. Tragically, he was pronounced deceased shortly after 5 AM on the same day.
After extensive investigations led by South Yorkshire Police, the court proceedings highlighted the brutal nature of the murder. Following a 16-day trial, Moore was found guilty of murder, having initially denied any wrongdoing. Griffin and Douglas had already admitted to both murder and possession of bladed weapons, which are severe offenses themselves.
Griffin, who was 17 at the time of the attack, received 16 years of detention, whereas Douglas, just 16, was sentenced to 15 years. On the other hand, Moore's sentence amounted to life imprisonment—set with a minimum term of 15 years. The judge emphasized the harrowing circumstances of the crime, identifying how young lives are contaminated by the influence of drugs and violence, and expressed regret over how the teens were 'recruited or corrupted' due to the drug dealings prevalent within their community.
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Wood spoke to the media outside of the courtroom, describing the assault as 'barbaric,' attributing blame not only to the attackers but to Moore, who played the role of the deceiver, manipulating Ali under false pretenses. The consequences of the murder extend beyond just the individuals involved; the vicious nature of the attack leaves lasting impacts on families and communities.
Following the sentencing, Ali’s family expressed their grief and sorrow through statements made public by South Yorkshire Police. They described their beloved Sacad as the heart of their family, always smiling and uplifting those around him. \"Sacad was a loving son and brother who was loved by all his family. It feels like all the light out of our lives has been taken,\" they lamented, grieving not only the loss of their joy but also the violence and chaos surrounding his death.
The family urged anyone with knowledge of the events surrounding the murder to come forward and assist police investigations. They have expressed gratitude to everyone who supported them during the investigation, stating, \"We would like to thank everyone who helped Sacad and who came forward to assist the police.\"
This heart-wrenching case acts as a stark reminder of the devastation wrought by gang violence and the prevalence of weapons among youth. Law enforcement and community members alike continue to advocate for more stringent measures against knife crime and drug-related activities—which claimed another victim far too young.
