Three brothers have been jailed after a man was stabbed to death in Stoke-on-Trent in 2024.

Thapelo Jali, 21, from Stafford, died in an alleyway off Buccleuch Road, Normacot in the early hours of 22 July 2024.

Tayyab Hussain, 27, and Ezaan Hussain, 22, both of Normacot, both pleaded guilty to murdering 21-year-old Thapelo Jali during the trial at Loughborough Crown Court on 7 and 9 July 2025 respectively.

Tuheed Hussain, 24, also of Normacot, was found guilty of manslaughter by the jury at the conclusion of the trial on Monday (4 August).

Tayyab has been sentenced to 21 years and 351 days' imprisonment, Ezaan was jailed for 20 years and 353 days and Tuheed sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment.

The court hear that on 20 July 2024, there was a collision involving the occupants of a VW T-Roc, registered to Thapelo's girlfriend and a Honda Civic, driven by Tuheed. The following day, 21 July, Tuheed and Ezaan damaged the VW T-Roc, smashing the windows.

(L-R) Tayyab Hussain, 27, and Ezaan Hussain, 22, and Tuheed Hussain, 24. (Staffordshire Police)

Later, on 21 July, Thapelo went to the Normacot area of Stoke-on-Trent. CCTV showed Thapelo running into an alleyway, which ran between Hamilton Road and Buccleuch Road, at 11.47pm and four seconds later, Tayaab and Ezaan Hussain got out of a car driven by Tuheed and went into the alleyway.

They met Thapelo Jali in the alleyway and repeatedly stabbed him.

Tayaab and Ezaan were seen on CCTV leaving the alleyway at Hamilton Road where they were collected by the car still driven by Tuheed.

Thapelo was found in the alleyway a short time later just after 12.30am on Sunday 22 July. He had been stabbed multiple times. He died just after 1.10am at the scene.

Thapelo Jali was murdered in Normacot. (Staffordshire Police)

In a statement, Thapelo's family said: "We love and miss Thapelo and his death has left an unmeasurable void in the lives of us who love him so dearly.

"When the officers came to tell us about Thapelo's death, their words changed our lives forever. That morning, little did we know that our lives were now changed, beyond anything that we could ever imagine.

"The stark reality of Thapelo's death was something that quickly absorbed our family, devastating us completely, as the days, weeks and months have passed.

"One young life was taken in the most tragic and cruel set of circumstances, yet many lives have been ruined through the ripples of devastation caused by these dreadful events.

"I hope that in some small way, my words help to discourage the epidemic of knife crime that has taken my son from his family at such a young age. I want for no other family to have to experience the level of pain that we have, and continue, to endure."

Detective Superintendent Cheryl Hannan said: "Our thoughts remain with Thapelo's family and friends.

"This was a brutal and calculated attack. This highlights the tragic consequences of carrying a knife and conflict between groups."