Asylum seeker who murdered aspiring Royal Marine killed two people before arriving in UK posing as a schoolboy

A KNIFE-obsessed asylum seeker who stabbed a Royal Marine hopeful to death killed two others before arriving in the UK.

Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, 21, fatally knifed Tom Roberts outside a Subway takeaway in Bournemouth.

The asylum seeker was today convicted of murdering the 21-year-old after stabbing him with a 10cm blade.

It can now be revealed knife-obsessed Abdulrahimzai was previously convicted of murder in Serbia.

The killer was handed a 20-year sentence in his absence after two people were shot dead outside a refugee area by a petrol station.

He also previously pleaded guilty to drug-dealing in Italy but was spared jail.

He then entered the UK in 2019 after claiming he was a 14-year-old whose parents had been killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

His lies were so convincing, he was placed in foster care where he nearly headbutted his carer.

Salisbury Crown Court heard Abdulrahimzai was caught with a knife by police but was only given a warning.

Leading up o Tom's murder, the yob was being paid £100 for ten minutes of street fighting.

On March 12 last year, he had got into a row with Tom's pal James Medway over an e-scooter.

When Royal Marine hopeful Tom intervened, he was stabbed in the heart and stomach by the "very aggressive" defendant.

Chilling CCTV showed Mr Medway chasing Abdulrahimzai through the city and into a park.

The killer was seen by horrified witnesses running "very fast" through the darkness in the busy town centre.

Tragically, the time between the argument breaking out and Tom being knifed was just 24 seconds.

Jurors were told Abdulrahimzai "revels in violence" and had a "fascination with knives".

He posed with 10 inch blades on TikTok to get followers from "people out there liking knives".

He was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder after claiming he thought Tom was a Taliban agent sent to kill him.

Abdulrahimzai claimed to be 16 when he was arrested on suspicion of murdering Tom.

But after examination of his teeth, it was ruled he was actually 21 years old.

The asylum seeker first went to Serbia through Pakistan and Iran in October 2015 before arriving in Norway later that month.

Abdulrahimzai then left Norway and spent some time in Italy and Serbia.

He claimed his parents were killed when the Taliban planted bombs at his family home as they suspected them of colluding with American forces.

Abdulrahimzai also said he was captured and tortured by the Taliban for up to three weeks before being left for dead on the side of a road.

He will be sentenced on January 25.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Huxter, of MCIT, said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Thomas Roberts.

"Nothing will ever make up for their tragic loss and I would like to pay tribute to them for the dignified way they have conducted themselves throughout the investigation and court process. I also pay tribute to those that came to Tommy’s aid in the aftermath of the incident.

“We have worked tirelessly to compile evidence to secure a conviction for this senseless murder and I would like to thank my investigation team and all those who worked on this case.

"I would also like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service and the prosecution team for their professionalism, expertise and dedication in achieving justice for Tommy and his family.

“This case serves as another reminder of the truly devastating consequences of knife crime.

"Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai’s decision to go out in possession of a knife on the night of this murder and his utterly indefensible decision to use that weapon has seen a much-loved young man’s life cruelly taken away."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Foreign national offenders who exploit our system and commit crimes here in the UK will face the full force of the law, including deportation at the earliest opportunity for those eligible.

“The government is committed to stopping abuse of the immigration system, taking decisive action against those who try to play the system.”