Police have released a picture of the 16-year-old boy who died following a stabbing in Deepdale.

Sarmad Al-Saidi, from Broadgate, was found with stab wounds to his chest and legs following an attack at a property in Chatham Place, Deepdale, on Wednesday (23 December).

He was treated in hospital for his injuries but Preston Police confirmed Sarmad died during Sunday (27 December) evening.

One man and two teenage boys were originally arrested and then charged with attempted murder, and police say they have all now appeared before Preston Magistrates’ Court on Monday (28 December) and are all charged with murder.

Jamie Dixon, 18, of Clayton Avenue, Leyland and a 16-year-old boy, and a 17-year-old boy, both from Preston, who can’t be named for legal reasons, are remanded into custody and will appear at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday (30 December).

DCI Lee Wilson, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “This incident has resulted in a young man losing his life and my thoughts are very much with Sarmad’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. Sarmad’s family have been supported by specially-trained officers throughout this investigation and that will continue.

“While we have now charged a man and two teenagers with Sarmad’s murder, our investigation is very much ongoing and I would ask anybody with information that could assist us to come forward.

“I know this incident has had a major impact on the community and I would like to thank the public for their extremely valuable support with this murder inquiry. ”

Tributes to Sarman have been paid, with Preston City Council’s leader councillor Matthew Brown among those to share their condolences on social media.

Police had made a number of additional arrests in connection with the stabbing.

A 20-year-old man, a 28-year-old woman, both from Preston, and a 36-year-old woman from Leyland all previously arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have since been released under investigation.

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Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 0575 of December 24,2020. Or information can be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

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