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Tearful dad's plea after Manningham attack

A tearful dad has called for an end to knife crime on the streets of Bradford after his 15-year-old son suffered seven stab wounds and a fractured skull in a late-night attack.

Mohammed Chunara and his wife Tahera with a picture of their son Abdullah Mohammed Chunara and his wife Tahera with a picture of their son Abdullah

Abdullah Chunara, who lives with his family at Clifton Villas, Manningham, suffered serious injuries after the attack in the Manningham Lane area.

A section of Mornington Villas and a snicket was cordoned off by police yesterday following the incident at about 10pm on Wednesday.

Detectives have since arrested a 16-year-old boy in Manningham on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

Stabbing victim Abdullah Chunara Stabbing victim Abdullah Chunara

Mohammed Chunara, the victim’s father, said: “Only the day before, I had been reading the T&A with the front page article about a 19-year-old being stabbed to death in Bradford Moor, then this happens to my son.

“It’s shocking. I don’t know what’s happening to the youth these days. The knife crime needs to stop. As children, we used to occupy ourselves in all sorts of ways – cricket, football and cards.

“There was seldom any trouble, but lifestyles seem to have changed. The youths have gone crazy – the way they drive, their whole attitude – and they don’t understand how to enjoy themselves without getting into trouble.”

Mr Chunara, 46, visited his son at his bedside at Bradford Royal Infirmary last night.

He said: “He’s stable and it’s not life-threatening, but the doctors are going to do some further investigations on his wounds to see if there’s any other damage.

“He is talking but he is in great pain each time the morphine wears off. He’s got seven stab wounds and a punctured lung.”

Mr Chunara said he was at a loss to understand why anyone would do this to his son, who he described as a “friendly, bubbly and lovely lad”.

He said: “He does sometimes get into trouble, but he’s a loving and caring lad. I have often spoken to him about the dos and don’ts and good citizenship.”

Mr Chunara, who suffers from Crohn’s Disease and depression, said the incident had rounded off a torrid year for his family.

His 44-year-old wife, Tahera, was recovering from breast cancer and had undergone a mastectomy a few days ago.

Mr Chunara said: “This was the last thing we needed.”

Police confirmed Abdullah sustained puncture wounds and a fractured cheekbone. The fractured skull was being treated as the most serious injury.


Comments (13)

19/03/10

Old Peculiar says...

Late night knife crimes and shootings are not normally "random", they are generally pre-meditated and connected to some other more sinister issues. I'm not suggesting this incident was connected to anything else, but the father comments that back in his childhood, this type of incident was rare. But with drug dealing around the inner city areas of Bradford being more and more heavy handed, this type of attack is unfortunately becoming a lot more frequent.
Sympathies to the families, who have done what they can to bring up their children the best way they can.

19/03/10

Apollo says...

Perhaps the parents might want to know why a 15 year old was doing on the streets late at night? Obviously he was involved in no wrong doing himself but has come across others who had different intentions.

19/03/10

Moon on a stick says...

Hope he recovers and those responsible get dealt with.
.
Sounds like the family have had a lot to deal with, Crohn’s Disease is partically nasty and the cancer too, they don't need this on top of that amount of stress.
.
Your lad needs a talking too mind you, although 15 is getting on, he should really be home by 10.

19/03/10

anawaz says...

I seem to see more and more young people out till late
Although he is 15... he should be at home for 10
Parents seem to have less power over their kids nowadays as the police will be round if we force them home
Bring back parent power!!!!!

19/03/10

rant and a rave says...

Totally agree with his comments regarding driving and attitude, but when the police just walk on by and allow lawlessness, more lawlessness follows!

19/03/10

mad matt says...

The family are all good friends of mine, very nice people indeed and my heart goes out to them.

19/03/10

NOTSOCOMMENSENSE says...

MY BEST WISHES TO THIS FAMILY AND A SPEEDY RECOVERY TO THEIR SON. UNTIL CORPERAL PUNISHMENT IS ALLOWED IN SCHOOLS AGAIN AND IN THE HOME THESE INCIDENT WILL CARRY ON HAPPENING BECAUSE THE LAST COUPLE OF GENERATIONS WITHOUT IT ARE GOING THROUGH LIFE THINKING THERE ARE NO CONSEQUENSES FOR THEIR ACTIONS.THEY DO ANY THING WRONG AND THEY ARE SENT HOME ,TOLD OFF ETC AND THIS DOESNT GIVE THEM ANY SENSE IOF FEAR OF WRONGDOING,BRING BACK THE CANE AND WATCH PETTY CRIME REDUCE DRAMATICALY.AND IF THE EU DONT LIKE IT WITHDRAW FROM ITS STUPID HUMAN RIGHTS (WHINGERS) CHARTER

19/03/10

bredandbuttered says...

Its a tough time for parents. Too many distractions lead their kids astray, and next thing its knives, drugs, fast cars and women.
Every taxi driver tells me the kids are out of control and its all gone to pot.
Can Politicians earn their wage and sort it out without affecting our rights? Like now, before we have total lawlessness on our streets?
I can't see it. They'd have to treat the youth on the streets, (because its certainly not the ones at home enjoying family life and doing they're homework), as potential gang-members, and make it an arrestable offence to drive a fast car (unless off to the shops), swear and spit (unless on the football pitch, (wear jeans halfway down their arse (unless belt broken), and talk in a black gangsta voice, (unless a rapper or Westwood).
Come to think of it....

20/03/10

zippy25 says...

NOTSOCOMMENSENSE wrote:
MY BEST WISHES TO THIS FAMILY AND A SPEEDY RECOVERY TO THEIR SON. UNTIL CORPERAL PUNISHMENT IS ALLOWED IN SCHOOLS AGAIN AND IN THE HOME THESE INCIDENT WILL CARRY ON HAPPENING BECAUSE THE LAST COUPLE OF GENERATIONS WITHOUT IT ARE GOING THROUGH LIFE THINKING THERE ARE NO CONSEQUENSES FOR THEIR ACTIONS.THEY DO ANY THING WRONG AND THEY ARE SENT HOME ,TOLD OFF ETC AND THIS DOESNT GIVE THEM ANY SENSE IOF FEAR OF WRONGDOING,BRING BACK THE CANE AND WATCH PETTY CRIME REDUCE DRAMATICALY.AND IF THE EU DONT LIKE IT WITHDRAW FROM ITS STUPID HUMAN RIGHTS (WHINGERS) CHARTER
Agree with all you have said .Kids think they can just do as they like today as drilled into them at school .My 11 year old grandson just turns round to his mum if she tells him off and says you cant smack me or i will tell social services .What a dam world we live in today .Well i hope this poor young lad gets well soon .And hope this as taught him not to be out late at night as no one is safe today !!!!

21/03/10

shipley footballers says...

The article above states, Detectives have sinse arrested a 16 year old boy in Manningham on suspicion of causing grevious bodily harm. Seven stab wounds a fractured cheekbone and a fractured skull. This is exactly why some of todays youth think they are untouchable. A good Barrister a good report from a bleeding heart liberal Social Worker and the perpatrator of this hienious crime will be out planning his summer holidays in 2011. How many times do you have to stab someone? How many bones have to be broken? Surely this is attempted murder. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Abdulla and keep listening to your Dad he seems a sound guy who talks sense

21/03/10

lazybeat says...

The parent should not let their kids roam out late at night. I know parents can only do so much, but one of the first things they should do is put their foot down at the early stages in their life,making sure dicipline and respect is embeded into them. Yes my father hit me if I messed around as a child, but you know what I respect him for it because it made sure I knew what the boundaries were.

21/03/10

bredandbuttered says...

I agree that these days we need to be so vigilant. Fathers and mothers should make sure their under-16's are in early (age depends on character of child). If they object, then ask them why they don't want to be at home with mum and dad and family, and treat accordingly.
A kid out late with mates on the street is asking for trouble. The jails are full of impressionable youth.

22/03/10

reportmeagain says...

whats all the fuss about,get real this is bradford get used to it.