A young man who was “always happy and forever smiling” was stabbed to death in a revenge attack in Croydon last year as two men have been found guilty of murder. Bradley Hutchins, 20, was stabbed multiple times, along with a 19-year-old, on North Walk in New Addington on September 12, 2023.
Two men were arrested on suspicion of murder and later charged. Shane Canavan, 23, and his half-brother Joshua Langley, 28, were found guilty on Monday, July 8 at Woolwich Crown Court following a trial.
On September 12, police were called to reports of a fight on North Walk. After being stabbed, Bradley and his friend made their way to the New Addington London Ambulance Service base nearby, where Bradley died from a stab wound to the chest. The teenager attacked was also seriously injured and continues to need treatment for his wounds more than six months later.
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After a murder investigation was launched by the Metropolitan Police, detectives found a crowbar, monkey wrench, knife and balaclava at the scene on North Walk, where the fight had broken out between Bradley, his friend and two attackers. The police deduced that one of the attackers was Canavan, who had attacked Bradley and his friend a few days earlier but had come off worse. But Canavan wanted to finish the job, so brought in Langley and arrived carrying a knife and a balaclava.
Detective Inspector Matt Read, who led the investigation, said: “We were quickly able to identify Canavan and Langley as being responsible for this terrible attack. We established that Canavan had been involved in a fist fight with Bradley and the other man a few days prior in which he had been the aggressor but had come off worse. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt then.
“Canavan however could not let it go and went out looking for the two victims, this time with a knife. When he found himself outnumbered by the pair and some friends he called for back-up in his half-brother Langley, and he himself also arrived with a knife and wearing a balaclava.
“A fight then ensued in which Bradley and the other victim fought back with makeshift weapons. However, they were both stabbed multiple times.”
DI Read added: “Our thoughts first and foremost today are with Bradley’s family following the utter devastation they have suffered. Not only did they lose Bradley in awful and unnecessary circumstances, but they had the additional suffering of another relative being seriously injured too. He continues to be treated for his injuries to this day.”
Bradley’s family said: “We are obviously very happy with this verdict and are glad that these two men will now be off the streets where they can’t hurt anyone else. We are grateful to everyone who has helped to bring about this conviction today.
“In reality though it is no victory to us as we have lost our son and brother. Bradley was the best son a mum could ask for – he was always happy, forever smiling and was known by so many people for his kindness, always willing to help others. He will be forever remembered as our hero.
“Bradley was yet another young person killed in a senseless attack with a knife – more has to be done to address knife crime, to save lives and to prevent another family from being shattered by the devastating loss of someone they love. No parent should ever have to experience the loss of a child.”
Canavan and Langley will be sentenced on Tuesday, August 6.
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