A man has been jailed for a minimum of 22 years after murdering another man whose body was found in woodland.
Bereket Selomun, 20, was discovered dead with multiple stab wounds off Brittain Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, on the morning of 7 July 2022.
The victim’s brother said Mr Selomun “fled Eritrea in the hopes of living a safer and better life in the UK”.
Two other men were jailed for manslaughter, and a fourth man for assisting an offender.
South Beds News Agency Stevenage murder scene near Fairlands Valley ParkSouth Beds News Agency
Hertfordshire Police said all four convicted men could be deported to Eritrea
The victim was stabbed at least eight times and his body was found by a dog walker.
Police said Jelani Omar, 25, from Stevenage, had fallen out with the victim and he was handed a life sentence for murder at St Albans Crown Court
Malake Fiseha, 25 and Natnael Hadgu, 20, were both jailed for nine years after being convicted of manslaughter.
Robel Msgane, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of assisting an offender and was jailed for four years.
Police said all four men – who were also from Eritrea – could be deported upon release from jail.
‘Peace-loving man’
Michale Selomun said his brother’s death had “left a void in our family that cannot be repaired”.
“No words could ever explain or put into context how we have felt since Bereket was taken from us in such horrific circumstances”, said Mr Selomun, in a statement released via the police.
“Bereket was a gregarious, courteous, altruistic, generous, hard-working, and peace-loving young man.
“His ambition was to study business management and go on to run his own business one day. This choice has been taken from him.”
South Beds News Agency A police car parked near Fairlands Valley Park in StevenageSouth Beds News Agency
Mr Selomun’s body was found in woodland near Fairlands Valley Park
Det Insp Iain MacPherson added that the case “highlights the real dangers of carrying a knife which can end lives and destroy others”.
He said: “Bereket was a young man who had his life in front of him.
“He had settled in Hertfordshire having come to this country from Eritrea. He was murdered following a dispute with people he knew and who had also settled in this country having come from Eritrea.”