Hastings murder suspect 'has fled overseas'

Mohammed al-Majed, 16, from Qatar, died two days after suffering a serious head injury when he hit the pavement during an attack in Hastings in August.

Police made the breakthrough and identified the suspect for the killing after studying CCTV footage.

Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Bowles, leading the investigation, said: “We have identified a young man who was at the scene of the attack on Mohammed. We know his identity, that he is 21 years old and from South London.

“We also know that he is currently in the Mediterranean. We are liaising closely with the Serious and Organised Crime Agency and with a number of other authorities both in the UK and elsewhere, in order to trace and arrest him.”

DCI Bowles said police know when the suspect fled overseas and could get a European arrest warrant so police forces across the continent could bring him back for questioning.

Mohammed, who was studying English in Hastings, was with friends close to the USA Fried Chicken and Kebab House near the junction of Robertson Street and the A259 when an argument broke out.

He was studying English at EF International Language Schools in White Rock, Hastings, and had been in the town for about five weeks.

His body was flown back to Qatar after he died at King’s College Hospital in London. Two other men have so far been charged in relation to the incident during the evening of August 22, although the charges are not specifically connected to Mohammed’s death.

Paul Rockett, 20, of Ham Lane, Burwash, near Heathfield, has been charged with racially aggravated common assault on one of Mohammed’s friends.

Alexander Quinn, 18, of Mountbatten Close, Hastings, has been charged with wounding one of Mohammed’s friends.

An 18-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of the murder was last week released from bail after police declared he was no longer a suspect.

A 17-year-old arrested on suspicion of racially motivated grievous bodily harm has been granted bail.