A MAN stabbed his flatmate to death before attempting to flee to France after becoming enraged about something on his phone, a court was told.

Rakar Rahimi is accused of murdering Bako Azad Sheikha, 23, in Distillery Lane, Colchester, in the early hours of September 12 last year.

It is alleged Rahimi, 23, drove Bako at knifepoint from their flat in Haven Road, Colchester, to the nearby country track before stabbing him to death at about 2am.

An inquest into Bako’s death determined he died at the scene as a result of a stab wound to the heart.

Echo: Examination - forensics probe the scene in Distillery LaneExamination - forensics probe the scene in Distillery Lane (Image: Newsquest)

Echo: Cordon - police officers guard the scene in the HytheCordon - police officers guard the scene in the Hythe (Image: Newsquest)

Rahimi, of Wellington Street, Ipswich, denies murdering Bako, who fled from Iraq to the UK in 2015, and a trial opened at Chelmsford Crown Court today.

Andrew Jackson, prosecuting, said Bako’s death was a result of “calculated, determined and fatal violence”.

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A video played to the court showed Rahimi waving a knife at Bako during a tense argument at their home about an hour before the alleged murder.

“Bako Sheikha had something on his phone which plainly angered him,” explained Mr Jackson.

Echo: Much loved - Bako Azad, left, with his brother Zanko Much loved - Bako Azad, left, with his brother Zanko (Image: Newsquest)

Echo: Probe - forensics arrive at the scene in the HytheProbe - forensics arrive at the scene in the Hythe (Image: Newsquest)

The prosecutor said following the stabbing, the defendant took Bako’s Nissan Qashqai, his phone and about £5,000 of his cash and drove off before crashing in Tolleshunt D’Arcy.

He told the jury Rahimi was then picked up by a friend and taken to Ipswich where he bought a new iPhone and sim card before later boarding a train to Dover, Kent.

Mr Jackson said: “When he arrived in Dover, plainly not knowing where he was, he introduced himself to another Kurdish man and he gave that man a false name.

“He told him his father and died and he needed to get to France.”

Echo: Murder trial - Bako Azad Sheikha was found with fatal injuriesMurder trial - Bako Azad Sheikha was found with fatal injuries (Image: Newsquest)

But the jury was told how the Kurdish community in Colchester foiled Rahimi’s escape, notifying the police of his plan to head to the border.

“He was arrested that night in Dover before he succeeded in his bid to escape the consequences,” added Mr Jackson.

The court heard residents living in Distillery Lane were awoken by the “loud noise” of the attack which led to Bako’s death.

  • The trial continues.

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