THIS is the face of the man stabbed to death in a busy North-East shopping centre as horrified shoppers looked on.

Twenty-two-year-old Mohammed Ali was a refugee who fled to Britain after escaping persecution in his own country.

Shoppers watched in horror as Mr Ali ran out of the Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough, with blood pouring from a neck wound, after Friday's attack.

The attack took place near the Adams and Mark One stores at about 1.50pm. Mr Ali, of Windsor Street, Middlesbrough, was rushed to Middlesbrough General Hospital under police escort, where he died later.

Mr Ali came to Britain last November after fleeing persecution in Iraq. He has a cousin who lives in Cleveland, and he moved to Middlesbrough from the Kent area.

Detective Inspector Colin Green said: "It was extremely sad that a person who fled Iraq to escape persecution should die in such a brutal way in a country in which he had hoped for safety."

The small Kurdish Iraqi community in Middlesbrough has been left shocked by the killing.

Police believe the knifeman was known to his victim, and it was not a case of a random attack. They are anxious to speak to anyone who was at the Cleveland Centre on Friday, who may have seen the attack or the knifeman running away.

The attacker is described as being in his mid-20s and of Asian appearance. He was wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with information should contact Cleveland Police on (01642) 301543, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.