There will be enormous sympathy for the family and friends of Hazem Ahmed Ghreir, who escaped from war-torn Syria only to be fatally stabbed while working as a delivery driver for a fast food company in Belfast city centre.
The perpetrator, Callin Wilson (20), pleaded guilty to a murder charge yesterday, with the minimum length of his mandatory life sentence yet to be confirmed.
Police deserve full credit for bringing him to justice after what was established to be a brutal attack in June, 2017, which did not involve a racial motive.
It must be hoped that the successful prosecution will bring at least some comfort to the relatives of the victim, who was in his 30s, and act as a firm deterrent to those prepared to consider any form of knife crime.
