Man sentenced after writing rap verse about stabbing student

A man who stabbed a student, leaving him fighting for his life, and went on to brag about it in a rap verse has been sentenced.

William Osaseri, 19, chased and stabbed the 20-year-old in the arm along a footpath off Midland Way in Radford, Nottingham, just before 18:00 BST on 27 June.

The victim’s brachial artery was severed and after emergency surgery, he spent six weeks in a coma and due to a lack of oxygen from the stab wound, he now has a life-changing brain injury and is “unlikely” to return to studying.

Nottinghamshire Police said Osaseri was told in court on Thursday that it was “pure luck” he was not being sentenced for murder.

The force said after going through CCTV, it was “quickly identified” that Osaseri, of Le May Avenue, Grove Park, London, was responsible for stabbing the student, who had been studying in Sheffield but is from Nottingham.

Doctors told police the victim was lucky to survive.

Officers searched Osaseri’s address and found cannabis, scales and the knife used to stab the victim.

Police said the reason for the attack was unclear, but added Osaseri had links to street gangs in London and was involved in drug dealing around university campuses.

At Nottingham Crown Court, Osaseri was sentenced to eight years in a young offender institution, after admitting wounding with intent, theft from a person, possession of a knife in a public place and possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply.

Det Sgt Nigel Malik said: “Due to a lack of oxygen caused by the stab wound, the victim now has a life-changing brain injury that continues to hold significant implications for both himself and his family – and it’s unlikely he’ll be able to return to university to resume his studies.

“He [Osaseri] has shown no remorse or concern for the victim. Indeed, he went on to write his own rap verse about the incident and bragged about it to associates.”