A TEENAGER who attempted to murder a Syrian refugee in a “frenzied” racially-aggravated attack was locked up for more than eight years yesterday.

Sean Gorman repeatedly stabbed Shabaz Ali, 25, in an argument about noise at an Edinburgh hostel in the early hours of May 3.

A court heard that Gorman, 18, was “hyper” after downing much of a litre bottle of vodka and taking ecstasy and cocaine prior to the unprovoked attack with a lock-knife.

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He was out on licence from another sentence for a violent attack involving a knife at the time. Gorman last month admitted the racially- aggravated murder bid and returned to the High Court in Edinburgh for sentencing. Judge Lord Woolman gave him an extended sentence of 11 years and nine months, involving detention for seven years and nine months followed by four years of supervision upon his release.

Gorman was also ordered to begin that sentence when he has finished serving 169 days of his previous sentence from 2017 for assault to severe injury and the danger of life.

The judge told him: “You carried out a frenzied attack on a stranger, Mr Shabaz Ali. You stabbed him six times, five times in the upper chest. But you would have been a threat to anyone you came across that night.”

The court heard the injuries sustained by Ali – whose family had fled from Syria to escape persecution – put his life in danger. He needed emergency surgery and intensive care.

The court heard the attack has caused Ali serious physical and psychological harm and has had a profound effect on his family, who fled to Scotland five years ago. He was working as a barber and staying in the hostel while he looked for a new home.

Gorman, who was visiting the hostel, attacked when Ali called at the room due to loud music being played. The teenager made threats and racially abused his victim before stabbing him and leaving the property.

Ali’s solicitor, Aamer Anwar, said after the hearing that the victim’s father, Sivan, welcomed the “significant” sentence and the message sent out to “violent racists” like Gorman.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Grainger said: “Gorman used appalling racist language before perpetrating significant violence.

“I cannot condemn the circumstances of this case strongly enough. Edinburgh thrives on diversity and Gorman’s actions do not in any way reflect the values of our city.”

Nicky Patrick, procurator fiscal for homicide and major crime, said: “Sean Gorman is a very dangerous individual who poses a significant risk to the public.

Anwar said Ali has yet to be offered permanent accommodation by Edinburgh City Council.

He added: Shabaz and his family are deeply grateful to the Crown Office, Positive Action in Housing, Joanna Cherry MP, the leader of the Council and the people of Edinburgh who rallied to their support.”