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Yousef Makki trial: Defendant 'smirked at family in court' Yousef Makki trial: Defendant 'smirked at family in court'
(about 1 hour later)
The mother of a stabbed teenager has said one of the boys on trial over her son's killing would "moonwalk" past her in court.The mother of a stabbed teenager has said one of the boys on trial over her son's killing would "moonwalk" past her in court.
Yousef Makki, 17, was stabbed in the heart in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester, on 2 March.Yousef Makki, 17, was stabbed in the heart in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester, on 2 March.
His mum Debbie said she had to share a corridor with two defendants during a trial at Manchester Crown Court.His mum Debbie said she had to share a corridor with two defendants during a trial at Manchester Crown Court.
A boy, 17, admitted stabbing Yousef with a flick knife but was cleared of murder and manslaughter.A boy, 17, admitted stabbing Yousef with a flick knife but was cleared of murder and manslaughter.
In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said the family had not raised concerns about using the court's public corridors and had not taken up the offer of using a "private victim's suite".
Known in court as Boy A, the teenager pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and possessing a knife and will spend eight months in custody.Known in court as Boy A, the teenager pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and possessing a knife and will spend eight months in custody.
Another 17-year-old, known as Boy B, was given a four-month detention and training order after he admitted possessing a knife.Another 17-year-old, known as Boy B, was given a four-month detention and training order after he admitted possessing a knife.
'Shoved upstairs''Shoved upstairs'
Throughout the trial, Mrs Makki said, she would see both defendants outside the courtroom.Throughout the trial, Mrs Makki said, she would see both defendants outside the courtroom.
"One of them used to moonwalk past us and laugh, the other one just used to smirk at us," she said."One of them used to moonwalk past us and laugh, the other one just used to smirk at us," she said.
Mrs Makki said she felt her family was "treated like criminals" and were left feeling "pushed out" of proceedings.Mrs Makki said she felt her family was "treated like criminals" and were left feeling "pushed out" of proceedings.
She told BBC Radio 5 live: "We were actually shown a video of Yousef dead on the floor and we weren't warned about any of it.She told BBC Radio 5 live: "We were actually shown a video of Yousef dead on the floor and we weren't warned about any of it.
"That picture sticks in my daughter's head forever.""That picture sticks in my daughter's head forever."
Mrs Makki said her son, a Manchester Grammar School pupil, was "made to look like the bad guy" during the trial.Mrs Makki said her son, a Manchester Grammar School pupil, was "made to look like the bad guy" during the trial.
"The whole case for four weeks was aimed at the fact that these boys were good boys from a good area, as if they were innocent babies, as if they couldn't possibly do anything bad because they weren't from a council estate.""The whole case for four weeks was aimed at the fact that these boys were good boys from a good area, as if they were innocent babies, as if they couldn't possibly do anything bad because they weren't from a council estate."
The family was "shoved upstairs" in the public gallery to watch the four-week trial "through a glass window", Mrs Makki said.The family was "shoved upstairs" in the public gallery to watch the four-week trial "through a glass window", Mrs Makki said.
This made it difficult to hear proceedings and left them unable to see the accused, she said.This made it difficult to hear proceedings and left them unable to see the accused, she said.
"They're protected like babies with their families next to them and we're told there is no room for us," she said."They're protected like babies with their families next to them and we're told there is no room for us," she said.
Yousef, from an Anglo-Lebanese family from Burnage, had won a scholarship to the prestigious £12,000-a-year school.Yousef, from an Anglo-Lebanese family from Burnage, had won a scholarship to the prestigious £12,000-a-year school.
'Intelligent, caring, kind''Intelligent, caring, kind'
He was stabbed in the village, which is popular with footballers and celebrities.He was stabbed in the village, which is popular with footballers and celebrities.
Mrs Makki described him as "extremely intelligent, caring, kind" and "always true to himself".Mrs Makki described him as "extremely intelligent, caring, kind" and "always true to himself".
"It is as if a light has gone out," she added."It is as if a light has gone out," she added.
The Ministry of Justice said the family had been offered a "private victim's suite" but "opted on many occasions to go straight to court using public corridors". The Ministry of Justice declined to comment on the record.
"The family did not raise any issue with using public corridors with court staff or the family's police liaison during the trial," the statement said.
The MoJ said it was explained to the family that it would be "more appropriate" for them to use the upper public gallery, away from the defendant's family.
They were offered three sets of headphones but, because of the number of people attending, "this facility was not available for all".
HM Courts and Tribunal Service is now considering putting speakers in the upstairs public gallery, the statement said.