Boy jailed for 20 years for murder of teenager

A teenager has been jailed for murdering another boy.

A judge at the Old Bailey sentenced the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to 20 years in prison. He was found guilty of murder and possession of a bladed article at the same court on Tuesday, 21 January.

The boy killed 16-year-old Kamari Johnson in Bourne Avenue, Hayes, on Friday, 24 May, 2024.

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.”

Police attended Bourne Avenue just after 13:30hrs on Friday, 24 May, 2024. Kamari had been stabbed moments before, and had crashed his moped in the street while attempting to flee the killer, who had pursued him on foot. The chase was captured on video.

The killer handed himself into Hayes Police Station on Saturday, 25 May, 2024. At interview, he maintained that he had acted in self-defence - leading investigators on a hunt for CCTV evidence and witness testimony.

With the assistance of phone records, police were able to establish that Kamari and the killer had been involved in a dispute over the sale of a moped for just £180.