AYMAN AZIZ SHOCKINGLY NAMED IN WOLVERHAMPTON PARK MURDER CASE

In a case that has shocked the community of Wolverhampton, the identity of Ayman Aziz, a 17-year-old male, has been publicly revealed following a court appeal, after previously being protected due to his age. Aziz was convicted of the brutal murder of 14-year-old Viktorija Sokolova, a tragedy that unfolded in April 2018 in Wolverhampton's West Park.

Aziz was sentenced to life imprisonment in February after a jury found him guilty of the heinous crime. The attack took place in the park’s pavilion, where Viktorija was lured and subjected to a savage assault involving a hammer-like weapon. The violence was so severe that Viktorija was beaten to the point of near death before being dragged approximately 150 yards (137 meters) to a nearby bench. Her body was later discovered by a dog walker, who stumbled upon the tragic scene.

During the trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Aziz maintained his innocence, denying any involvement in the murder. However, the jury unanimously convicted him after hearing evidence that included his premeditative research and viewing of pornography prior to the attack. Investigators also uncovered CCTV footage showing Aziz attempting to conceal his involvement by hiding clothing and discarding Viktorija’s phone into a lake. Additionally, he had deleted Facebook messages, indicating an effort to erase evidence of his actions.

Following the sentencing, Mr. Justice Jeremy Baker described the attack as “truly shocking,” emphasizing the brutality of the crime. Viktorija’s mother, Karolina Valantiniene, expressed her heartbreak, stating that her daughter had “many beautiful plans for the future,” highlighting the tragic loss of a young girl with so much potential.

Since the trial, Aziz has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. His defense counsel, Adam Kane QC, argued that revealing Aziz’s identity could hinder his rehabilitation, citing instances of bullying and threats he faced while in detention, which reportedly caused him to cease attending educational classes. Despite these arguments, the Court of Appeal dismissed Aziz’s challenge to remain anonymous, and also rejected an appeal against his minimum term of 19 years in prison. The court’s detailed reasoning for this decision is expected to be released at a later date, as announced by Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett.

In summary, this case has not only brought to light the tragic loss of Viktorija Sokolova but also raised ongoing discussions about juvenile justice, mental health, and the impact of public identification of young offenders in serious crimes in Wolverhampton.