Statement from Counter Terrorism Policing North East and Cleveland Police
Ahmed Ali Alid was today (Thursday, April 25, 2024) found guilty of the Murder of Terence Carney and the Attempted Murder of a second man following the attacks in Hartlepool on October 15, 2023.
At Teesside Crown Court, 45-year-old Alid (01/01/79) of Wharton Terrace, Hartlepool, was also found guilty of two further offences of Assaulting an Emergency Worker after attacking two police officers while in custody.
Police responded to reports of a disturbance in Wharton Terrace at approximately 05.15am on Sunday, October 15. On arrival they found a 32 year old man with stab wounds. His injuries required hospital treatment but were not life threatening.
Searches for the suspect led police to Tees Street and the second victim, 70 year old Terence Carney, who had suffered severe stab wounds to his chest and neck. First aid was immediately administered by officers, but Mr Carney sadly died at the scene.
Alid was arrested a short distance away and detained for questioning. Comments made during his arrest and in custody indicated his actions were motivated by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Counter Terrorism Policing North East assumed the lead for the investigation, with the support of Cleveland Police. At approximately 10.00pm the following evening (Monday, October 16) Alid was charged with Murder, Contrary to Common Law and Attempted Murder, Contrary to Section 1(1) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981.
He was charged with two additional offences of assault on October 27.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley is the Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East. He said: “The horrific attacks in Hartlepool were unprovoked and deeply disturbing. Alid seriously injured one man and deliberately took the life of another.
“Terence Carney’s family and friends have been left devastated by the tragic outcome of Alid’s actions and have lost a much-loved husband, father, and grandfather. Our deepest sympathies go out to them.
“I have no doubt that the swift response of the attending officers prevented further harm or loss of life that morning. We’re grateful for their bravery in the face of a dangerous and unpredictable suspect. I’d also like to thank the people of Hartlepool for their calm and measured response to that day’s events and for the resilience they showed in the weeks that followed.”
Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, Victoria Fuller, said: “The shocking events in Hartlepool on 15 October 2023, which led to the tragic death of 70-year-old Terence Carney, shook the local community to its core.
“Alid’s actions not only left a family devastated, but also caused significant fear and distress amongst residents in Hartlepool and beyond.
“Following the initial response which saw swift and brave actions from Cleveland Police Officers, the force has supported Counter Terrorism Policing North East throughout their investigation.
“Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Hartlepool will be undertaking high visibility patrols to provide reassurance to the local community, and officers will be a point of contact should anyone have any concerns.”
Alid has been remanded to be sentenced on May, 17, 2024 at Teesside Crown Court.
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Statement from the family of Mr Terence Carney
“We would like to thank everyone involved in the investigation, from the first responding officers, whose swift actions that day prevented anyone else from being hurt, to the investigation team.
“We would also like to thank the prosecution team, the judge, and the jury, who’s commitment during this trial has resulted in the correct decision being made.
“We are extremely grateful to our Family Liaison team who continue to be of great support to us during these extremely difficult times.
“We would not want anyone else to have to go through what we have had to go through over the last 6 months, and what we will continue to go through for the rest of our lives. For us, things will never be the same again.
“We would especially like to thank Mr Javad Nouri, Mr Ariyan Karimi and Mr Mohammed Karimi. What they themselves endured that night was truly horrific, they believed they too were going to die. Despite this, they fully assisted the police with their enquiries and gave their evidence in court, which is testament to their characters.
“These three men were the voice of our loved one, when he was unable to speak out for himself. For this we will forever be grateful to them.
“We have watched the whole trial intently, and whilst today’s guilty verdict will not bring back Terence our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, we can take some small comfort in knowing that justice has been served.
“We would now like the time to grieve for him privately.
“Thank you.”