Boy, 14, gets six years for stabbing friend
14-year-old boy sentenced to six years over stabbing of his friend
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Monday, 30, Nov 2009 04:13
By Alex Steger.
A 14-year-old boy has been sentenced to six years detention for the stabbing of his friend.
The victim, Jahmal Mason Blair, 17, was stabbed in the neck during a dispute over a bicycle.
Police have taken the unusual step of naming the boy as Michael Ematuwo from Hackney after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on November 2nd. He was sentenced at the Old Bailey today.
Jahmal died from a stab wound after he tried to break up a fight between Ematuwo and an unnamed 16-year-old boy on May 23rd who were involved in an ongoing dispute over the ownership of a bicycle.
During the altercation Ematuwo produced a flick knife which stabbed Jahmal in the neck as he tried to separate the two boys. A routine police patrol found Jahmal, a keen footballer who had trials with Tottenham, in the early hours of the morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ematuwo, who fled the scene and disposed the knife and his clothing, was arrested later the same day. He was originally charged with murder but a plea of manslaughter was later accepted.
Investigating officer Detective Inspector Andy Yeats said: "This was a tragic incident which resulted in the unnecessary death of a young man who had so much to live for.
"A dispute between two boys over a bicycle has cost the life of Jahmal, because in the heat of the moment a weapon was produced."
"There simply could not be a clearer example of the dangers of young people carrying knives."
In a statement, the family of Jahmal Mason Blair said: "As a family we are unable to put into words the devastation the murder of Jahmal has caused us.
"We want the boy responsible, and the community as a whole, to realise the long-lasting and appalling effect caused by one boy choosing to carry a knife."