A mother facing a murder charge testified in court that she smoked crack cocaine in a car outside a flat while Paul Foster, 47, suffered a fatal stab wound to the back inside on Muirhead Avenue in West Derby, Liverpool.

The Robbery and Stabbing

Attackers armed with a knife and an imitation firearm entered the property during the robbery, stealing drugs and cash before escaping. The incident occurred at the home where Foster dealt drugs, belonging to Lyndzi McCowan, who has since passed away.

Defendants and Charges

Five individuals stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court for Foster’s murder: Elsadig Abrahim, 61, of Croxteth Road in Toxteth; Zayd Alasaly, 23, of Corinto Street in Toxteth; Dylan Blundell, 26, of Corsewall Street in Wavertree; Sarah Kasseum, 41, of Lower Breck Road in Anfield; and Michael Fields, 50, of no fixed address.

All five deny murder and possession of a bladed article in public. Abrahim, Alasaly, and Kasseum also plead not guilty to robbery and carrying an imitation firearm with intent. Blundell and Fields admit those counts, while Fields additionally pleads guilty to manslaughter.

Kasseum’s Court Testimony

Kasseum took the witness stand Thursday afternoon. Questioned by her barrister Peter Finnigan KC, she recounted Blundell telling her afterward that Fields passed a knife to Alasaly, who struck Foster.

Visibly emotional, Kasseum denied any intent to kill or seriously injure Foster. She claimed ignorance of weapons or a planned robbery among the group.

A long-time crack cocaine user who dealt drugs to fund her habit, Kasseum described the events leading up. At Tony Conroy’s home on St Mary’s Close in Wavertree, she said: “I was having a pipe in the living room. I think Ziggy [Abrahim] and Dylan were in the living room with me. Zayd, Mick and Tony were in the kitchen talking. We had our pipe and then we got off.”

Asked about her consumption that day, she replied: “I couldn’t tell you, a lot.” On its effects, she stated: “It keeps me awake really. I’m having my pipe, chilling. I’d been up for two or three days. I was alright. I was aware what was going on around me.”

Prosecution’s Case

Prosecutor David McLachlan KC outlined that shortly after 1:30 a.m. on October 15, 2024, Fields drove the group in a black Kia Ceed to the address for a ‘taxing’ robbery of Foster’s drugs and money.

“They were not going to Muirhead Avenue for a little drive on a Tuesday morning in the early hours,” McLachlan stated. “The purpose was to rob Paul Foster of his money and his drugs… and they went tooled up.”

Kasseum allegedly used the intercom as a decoy to gain entry, known to Foster. McCowan buzzed her in, then came downstairs and faced three males in black rushing toward her. She fled back inside, screaming, as they forced entry, demanding Foster, drugs, and money while brandishing what looked like a gun.

Foster received a fatal stab to the back during the confrontation. The group fled with stolen cash.

McLachlan asserted: “Paul Foster’s death was a direct consequence of a drug taxing… All five defendants went to rob Paul Foster of his drugs and money. They went mob handed, armed with a knife and an imitation firearm… sharing a common purpose.”

The trial, under Judge Simon Medland KC, continues.