A 16-year-old boy has been jailed for a minimum of 16 years after being convicted of murdering a man in the town.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of killing Hamid Erfani following a trial at Bristol Crown Court in July this year.
Mr Erfani, aged 46, died after being stabbed in an alley which runs between Larput Place and St Paul’s Road in Cheltenham on the afternoon of 16 December 2025.
Following an investigation led by the Major Crime Investigation Team, two teenage boys were arrested and subsequently charged.
The younger boy, who was 15 at the time, had previously admitted to separate charges of robbing Mr Erfani and possessing a bladed article.
Another male, 18-year-old Paddy Maher, who was 17 at the time of the offence, had also pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and possessing a bladed article.
The court heard that the two boys, who had met up in the town and were both carrying knives, did not know the victim but had become aware of a drug deal taking place in the town.
They targeted Mr Erfani in the alleyway and demanded at knifepoint that he give them the money and drugs which he had in his possession.
The victim did not put up any resistance and handed the items over. The boys also stole his mobile phone.
After robbing him, the younger boy turned violent and stabbed Mr Erfani once in his chest, killing him.
The two boys then ran off and hid their knives. The murder weapon was later found by police close to Leisure at Cheltenham on Tommy Taylors Lane.
In a statement read to the court on behalf of Mr Efani’s family in Iran, they spoke of the immense pain and suffering caused to them as a result of his tragic death.
They said: “The loss of Hamid has had a devastating emotional and psychological impact on our family.
“Since the incident, family members have experienced severe grief, emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, sleeping difficulties, and on-going psychological distress.
“The sudden and violent nature of his death has deeply affected every aspect of our lives and has left the family in constant sorrow.”
Sentencing the 16-year-old to life in prison, the teenage boy was told that he must serve a minimum of 16 years before being eligible for release on licence.
The Honourable Mrs Justice Kate Brunner, presiding, told him: “No sentence can begin to compensate for the loss of Mr Erfani’s life.
“He was a beloved son, family member, friend, who provided emotional support to many who needed it. They must be suffering greatly.
“You did a terrible thing when you took Mr Erfani’s life. He did nothing to you, and it is not clear why you suddenly stabbed him.
“You will have to live with the responsibility of what you did for the rest of your life.”
For his part in the robbery, Paddy Maher was given a Youth Rehabilitation Order for three years.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Adam Stacey, who led the investigation, said: “Hamid Erfani was killed in broad daylight in what was a vicious and callous act by the offender.
“It was a senseless and needless act that has robbed a family of their loved one and my thoughts are very much with Mr Erfani’s family, friends and others who loved him.
“I would like to express my thanks to all those involved in the investigation – the first responders who did such a fantastic job in locating the offenders; the Scenes of Crime Officers and search teams who so diligently secured vital evidence; those who helped to manage the various scenes and those who responded to provide reassurance and support to the community; and lastly to those who dealt with the investigation and saw the case through to court.”
Hamid Erfani
Paddy Maher
