A 17-year-old boy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after stabbing another teenager to death in a row over a stolen moped. The killer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, knifed 16-year-old Kamari Johnson with a 30cm blade in Bourne Avenue, Hayes on May 24 last year.
He had previously been found guilty of murder and possessing a knife at the Old Bailey on January 21. Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, who led the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with Kamari’s loved ones. Though nothing can bring him back, this sentence removes a cold-blooded killer from the streets.
“The murder was committed in broad daylight, and members of the public tried in vain to save Kamari’s life as he lay dying. Shockingly, the motive appears to have been a dispute over a £180 moped. This case illustrates how petty disagreements can spiral into murderous violence when knives are carried.”
CCTV footage showed the attacker barge through onlookers as he chased Kamari who was fleeing on a moped. Kamari then crashed his moped in the street, before being stabbed to death moments later. The court had previously heard how the boys had been in contact over Snapchat about the defendant’s desire to buy a moped from Kamari.
Prosecutor Joel Smith KC had said the two “haggled” over a price with Kamari wanting £180 for it. When they met to complete the sale, Kamari reneged on their agreement, took the defendant’s cash and drove away, the court heard.
The killer handed himself in to Hayes Police Station on May 25, but maintained that he had acted in self-defence. Police later found out he had walked to Kamari’s house to confront him about the stolen moped, intent on getting it back.
Mr Smith told jurors: “He knew where Mr Johnson lived and he went there looking for him, and when he found him, he stabbed him. He stabbed him once through his chest and into his heart, and although Mr Johnson managed to flee on the moped, he collapsed minutes later and died on the street.”
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