LONDON: A 16-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed in the UK after fleeing war in Syria had dreamed of becoming a doctor, his family said on Tuesday.

Ahmad Mamdouh Al-Ibrahim died in hospital after being wounded in the neck in the northern English town of Huddersfield on Thursday.

The teenager was settling into his new life in the UK after fleeing Homs in Syria, where he had been injured in a bombing.

In an emotional tribute, his family said their 鈥渂eloved Ahmad鈥� had wanted to become a doctor to help others.

鈥淎hmad fled war-torn Homs, Syria, after being injured in a bombing,鈥� the family said in a statement released through West Yorkshire Police.

鈥淗e chose to come to the UK because he believed in the values of human rights, safety and dignity.

鈥淗e was full of hope and dreamed of becoming a doctor 鈥� wanting to heal others after all he had endured.鈥�

The family said Ahmad had been living with his uncle and adjusting to a new language, new home and a future 鈥渉e was excited to build.鈥�

鈥淎hmad was kind, gentle and carried so much promise. Losing him has left an unimaginable emptiness in our hearts,鈥� they said.

鈥淲e never thought that the place he saw as a safe haven would be where his life would end.鈥�

The family said they wished to lay Ahmad to rest in his homeland, Syria.

The tribute was released as a 20-year-old man, Alfie Franco, appeared in Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday accused of Ahmad鈥檚 murder. A trial date was set for October.

Police said they were continuing to work with Ahmad鈥檚 family and to investigate the stabbing.