The teenager who stabbed public schoolboy Yousef Makki to death has been released from jail less than half way through his 16-month sentence in a move the murdered 17-year-old’s family have slammed as ‘the third knife in Yousef’s heart.’
Privately-educated Joshua Molnar, 18, who attended a £33,000-a-year private school, admitted to stabbing his friend Yousef in the chest on March 2 2019 but argued in court that he acted in self-defence.
He was cleared of the murder and manslaughter of Yousef, who had won a scholarship to £12,000 per year Manchester Grammar School, but he was given a 16-month detention order after he admitting possessing an offensive weapon and perverting the course of justice by lying to police.
Yousef’s father Ghaleb Makki, 51, was today told by police that Molnar has been released, just six days before the one-year anniversary of Yousef’s death.
Yousef’s father Ghaleb Makki, pictured with his son in his younger years above, has said the news of Molnar’s release is a ‘knife to the heart’
Yousef Makki (left) was stabbed by his friend Joshua Molnar (right) on March 2 2019
Yousef if pictured above in his red Manchester United shirt with his father and his brother
Father and son: Mr Makki was so proud of Yousef and today spoke of how the news of Molnar’s release has impacted him
When recalling the moment he heard the news, Mr Makki said: ‘I told my mother: ‘They stabbed him for the third time.’ The second time he was stabbed was at the verdict.
‘And when I was told the news today I said: ‘That’s the third knife in Yousef’s heart. Another insult.’
He added: ‘Does justice for the rich top justice for the victim? What type of justice system does not protect the lives of children.’
‘I am so angry I feel like exhuming my son’s body and taking him to a land governed by a proper justice system, where everyone is equal.’
Yousef is in the black suit. His brother Mazen is in the checked shirt. At the airport in Lebanon with his family
Yousef is in the grey t-shirt. His brother Mazen is on the left with their grandmother
Yousef in pictured on the left, leaning over to kiss his brother Mazen on the right. Their father is holding them
Yousef suffered a 5.5-inch wound through the heart after being stabbed with an illegal flick knife during a confrontation in Hale Barns, a Cheshire village popular with company directors and footballers.
The trial of Molnar – earlier known as Boy A – and Adam Chowdhary, 18, – formerly Boy B – heard that the boys were friends but had fallen out over a botched attempt to rob a drug dealer.
Molnar was allegedly furious after he was beaten up and his £2,000 carbon-fibre mountain bike – a gift from his father – was thrown over a hedge.
The knife used by Molnar was bought online by Chowdhary.
Yousef is pictured above with his father on his first day of grammar school. He was able to win a scholarship
Mr Makki said that all of Yousef’s teachers had praised his academic abilities (he is pictured above)
During the trial at Manchester Crown Court in the summer, Molnar claimed the stabbing happened after Yousef pulled a knife on him.
The prosecution said there was no evidence Yousef had a knife.
Chowdhary was cleared of perverting the course of justice, but was handed four months in a youth detention centre after admitting possession of the flick knife that Molnar plunged into Yousef’s chest.
In recalling one of the last conversations he had with his son, Mr Makki – who is separated from Yousef’s mother Debbie and lives in London – said: ‘His exact words keep ringing in my ears. He said: ‘Hang on there baba, the Arabic word for father, he said one more year and I promise I will be with you and I will never leave you alone, never’.’
Mr Makki said that his son had been clever from a young age and added that his teachers said he was well ahead, Mr Makki and Yousef are pictured above
Mr Makki said he had stopped visiting his son’s grave because he felt ‘extremely guilty’ he is pictured above with his son in his younger years
Mr Makki said the last item he bought his son was a pair of white trainers, the shoes the teenager wore the day he died.
With his voice breaking, Mr Makki said: ‘Those were a major point in the investigation because they were white. The other two boys were wearing dark shoes. In the CCTV when it was dark they distinguished Yousef by his shoes. That was the last item. I sent him the money.
‘Yousef was very clever, highly intelligent. At his primary school the teachers used to tell me he was years ahead of his age.
‘They spotted his potential, he was talented and gifted. One of his teachers told me he was one of those who come only once in every 20 generations.
Mr Makki said he can no longer talk about Yousef’s future and said his son will never be able to pursue his dreams
Mr Makki revealed that the last item he ever bought for his son had been a pair of white trainers. They are pictured together above
‘Another teacher, at the cemetery when she was expressing her condolences, said to me: ‘Mr Makki you are not the only one who lost him. The whole country lost him, he was an academic-to-be.’
‘When he had exams, he used to send emails to the head of year, thanking them for putting all the effort in to provide him with the opportunity to have exams and to thank them for all their hard work. That is the type of child he was.
‘I stopped visiting Yousef’s grave because I feel extremely guilty. I vowed to do justice for him and I keep visualising images of the night he died. I would have stood between him and that knife.’
Chowdhary and Molnar were protected by youth anonymity because they were 17 at the time of the offence.
Yousef is pictured above in his younger years. He was killed when he was 17-years-old
Molnar was identified after he turned 18. Despite Chowdhary’s anonymity also expiring on his 18th birthday, he implored the High Court to keep his identity secret until he finishes his education in November 2021.
Justice Karen Steyn ruled that there was a strong public interest in him being named, but said he could remain anonymous until he submitted an appeal.
After Chowdhary’s legal team failed to produce one, his identity was made public earlier this month.
Mr Makki added: ‘The families are talking about career and future. Adam Choudary’s family want to keep anonymity on his name.
‘I just wonder do they think about Yousef’s future? The implications and how far reaching the ripple effects on us are? His family back home?
‘Yousef will never be able to pursue his life, his career, his future. I will never see him doing well, being happy, having a family of his own.’
Molnar provoked outrage in November last year after it was revealed he had applied for day release from prison in time for Christmas.
His family also hired a leading publicity firm and gave an interview to The Sunday Times, describing him as ‘a normal, typical teenage lad’.
They said their son was ‘incredibly remorseful’ about the ‘tragedy’ – but then praised his talents and character, and took the opportunity to contradict evidence presented in court.
He is the son of Mark Molnar, 56, a business consultant and former chairman of Cheshire Lawn Tennis Association, and Stephanie Molnar, 51, who co-founded a chain of private children’s nurseries.
Molnar was sent to several prestigious schools and grew up in the family’s £1million home in Hale, Cheshire.
The Molnars are being represented by Manchester PR agency MC2 Communications, which would normally cost thousands of pounds. Its past clients include Cadbury’s owner Mondelez.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: ‘We understand the distress the release of an offender can cause victims and their loved ones, and our thoughts are with Yousef Makki’s family.
‘Anyone released from prison faces strict conditions while on licence, such as curfews and exclusion zones, and can be returned to custody if they breach them.’