Teenager guilty of manslaughter after stabbing ‘incredible father’ in front of young son in Wallsend

A teenager has been convicted of manslaughter after fatally stabbing a father of four in front of his own young son in Wallsend last June.

Mohammed Rabani, 19, who had initially been charged with murder, attacked 43-year-old Nathaniel Wardle on the afternoon of June 20 last year.

Nathaniel, known to his loved ones as Natty, was found with stab wounds at an address on St Hilda’s Avenue, Holy Cross, and was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.

An investigation was immediately launched by police and extensive CCTV, house-to-house and forensic enquiries were carried out leading to the arrest of Rabani and two other males – Robbie Battista, 18, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Rabani, who was 18 at the time at the time of the incident, and Battista, who was 17 at the time, were each later charged with murder and possession of a bladed article. The third male, who was 17 at the time, was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Rabani and Battista, pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted the charge of possessing a bladed article ahead of trial. The third male denied all charges against him.

During a seven-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, a jury heard how Rabani, Battista and the third male had attended the address of Nathaniel – with Rabbani attacking him with a knife before the trio fled the scene.

Today, following the conclusion of the trial, Rabani, of Weldon Crescent, Heaton, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter. Rabani was remanded into custody and is due to be sentenced before the same court at a later date.

Battista, of Holystone Crescent, Heaton, was found not guilty of murder or manslaughter. He was also remanded into custody and will face sentencing at a later date for possessing a bladed article. The third male was cleared of all charges.

Speaking after the hearing, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Louise Jenkins said: “First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Nathaniel’s loved ones following his tragic death and they will continue to receive specialist support from our officers.

“I want to make it clear that there are no winners where knife crime or serious violence is concerned – and we will continue to take robust action against those found to be involved. As a Force we are committed to tackling violent crime and by working with partners we will continue to play our part in ensuring the region remains one of the safest in the country.”

In a statement, Nathaniel’s family said: “Our hearts remain broken, Natty was an incredible father who loved spending time with his kids, so having our first Christmas and New Year without him has been unimaginably difficult.

“Not only has the loss been felt as we have been together as a family but having the ordeal of a trial during this time has only added to the pain we’ve felt.

“We also find comfort in knowing those who knew Natty can remember the funny and generous man he was and smile. He will be greatly missed but will still always be a part of our lives through his children who he loved so much.”