Convictions after two young friends killed in machete attacks months apart
Daejaun Campbell cried out 'I'm 15, don't let me die' after he was ambushed in Woolwich, south-east London, on September 22 last year, the Old Bailey heard.
On Wednesday, a boy aged 17, was found guilty of his murder after a jury deliberated for more than 19 hours.
Co-accused Marko Balaz, 19, from Abbey Wood, south-east London, was found not guilty of murder, but convicted of manslaughter.
A third defendant, Jacob Losiewicz, 18, also from Abbey Wood, was cleared of wrongdoing.
It can now be reported that Daejaun was friends with 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa, who was fatally stabbed by two 16-year-old boys with machetes on a bus in Woolwich months later on January 7.
Aspiring rapper Kelyan, nicknamed Grippa, had featured in a YouTube music video entitled Gotta Eat – in which he was seen crouching beside a floral tribute to Daejaun.
Last Friday, two 16-year-old youths were detained for at least 15 years and 10 months after pleading guilty at the Old Bailey to Kelyan's murder.
The two boys' murders, though not directly related, bore striking similarities and have resulted in pleas by their families to end the 'senseless killings'.
Last week, Kelyan's mother Marie Bokassa made an appeal for authorities to do more to stop the violence, saying: 'Our streets at bleeding.'
In the wake of Daejaun's murder, his family released a statement in which Daejaun was described as 'naturally gifted, intelligent, creative and musically talented'.
They said: 'The brutal manner which Daejaun was taken away from us is sad, and he not the first young person nor will he be the last, this senseless killing needs to stop.'
Both killings had been linked to street gang culture with Daejaun described as being exploited and groomed by older youths.
Daejaun was allegedly targeted for a 'gang check' when he was spotted near a house the defendants were visiting.
Prosecutor Mukul Chawla KC had said he was attacked by Balaz and the 17-year-old boy.
He said a witness had heard Daejaun screaming and calling for 'help' as he was stabbed.
He also threw a large knife that he was carrying although it appears to have only hit a metal fence or railing and broken into pieces, the court had heard.
The 17-year-old attacker was caught on video dropping his machete and leaning down to pick it up as he made off.
Daejaun fell to his knees in the street having suffered two stab wounds and six superficial cuts.
Losiewicz had driven the others to the scene and was nearby, the court had heard.
Mr Chawla told jurors the motive for the killing was unclear but that Daejaun had been carrying money and drugs, possibly crack cocaine.
He said: 'He may therefore have been a person exploited, by reason of his age if for no other reason, to be used as carrier and supplier of drugs by organisations that will use younger people and other vulnerable people for those purposes.
'That may be or may have been the reason why he was attacked.'
The two older defendants admitted being at the scene but denied being involved in Daejaun's killing.
The 17-year-old youth admitted the killing but claimed he acted in self defence and alone.
He had previously pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon – a machete – in a public place.
The 17-year-old also had previous convictions for carrying a 'kukri' style knife in 2021 and having a machete and affray relating to a fight in October 2023 in which a male suffered a cut to his face and a stab wound.
The court heard Balaz had previous convictions for carrying knives and possession of cannabis. Mr Losiewicz had no convictions to his name.
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Daily Mail
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- Daily Mail
Boy, 10, died in school coach crash on school trip to the zoo, police confirm as pupil who survived reveals chaos of moments after tragedy
The child who died in a school coach crash yesterday was a 10-year-old boy, Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed. Another 21 people were injured when the coach slid off the road on Exmoor, Somerset, at 3pm yesterday as it drove year 5 pupils back from an end of term trip to the zoo. Four children and three adults remain in hospital - including two youngsters who were taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance following the accident. Up to 70 people were understood to have been on the coach when it crashed off the road, flipped onto its roof and slid 20ft down a steep bank. One boy, Jayden, who was on the bus and suffered a suspected broken collarbone in the crash, visited Minehead Middle School to lay flowers at the scene earlier today with his mother Kim. He said: 'I just remember climbing up the hill to get back on the road and that's it. On his injuries, Jayden said: 'I'm alright, it just hurts.' His mother Kim said she had been frantic when Jayden didn't return to his grandmother's house at 4pm. 'Mum's phoning me saying "where's Jayden? Has he gone home on the bus?" I couldn't get hold of anybody,' she said. 'It's just not knowing if they're ok, if they're safe, if they got off the bus. 'The hospital [staff] were absolutely amazing. I cannot thank them enough for what they've done. They gave them Lego, they gave them teddies.' Jayden, who was a passenger on the bus and was treated for a suspected broken collarbone, with his mum outside Minehead Middle School People comfort each other as they look at the floral tributes at the entrance to the Minehead Middle School in Somerset Police blocking the road leading to the scene of the bus crash yesterday Kim said the off-duty firefighter who helped passengers had a daughter on the bus. She told the BBC she has had to break the news of the child's death to Jayden, adding: 'He's lost a friend.' It comes after a schoolgirl revealed she was stopped from boarding the coach involved in a fatal crash in Somerset because it was full. Following a day out with year five classmates at Exmoor Zoo, Emily Manning, 10, had hoped to ride back on the same coach as her friends. But when she tried to join them she was told there were no more seats so instead she went on the other coach which made it back safely to Minehead Middle School. One child died and 21 people were injured when the second coach crashed off a winding stretch of road, flipped onto its roof and slid down a steep bank. Emily was among dozens of pupils, parents and local residents who laid flowers outside the front gates of the school - which is closed today following the tragedy. After laying flowers for her friends and classmates outside the school this morning she said: 'I wanted to be on the second coach because that's where my friends were but there were too many people so I got off. 'Everybody was in front of me and that meant I couldn't. I felt upset because my friends were on that bus but also I felt lucky.' Mother Kim placing her floral tributes with her son Jayden outside the school Emily (right) was among dozens of pupils, parents and local residents who laid flowers outside the front gates of the school - which is closed today following the tragedy One child died and 21 people were injured when the second coach crashed off a winding stretch of road, flipped onto its roof and slid down a steep bank. Pictured: People lay floral tributes at the scene People look at the floral tributes at the entrance to the Minehead Middle School Dad Nick Manning, a window cleaner, said his heart dropped when he received a phone call at work asking whether he had picked her up yet. Mr Manning, 48, said: 'She went to the Exmoor Zoo but on the way back she was on the other bus. 'She wanted to go on it but it was already full, there were too many people because her mates and boyfriend were on that one. 'I just feel incredibly grateful that she wasn't. I got phoned when I was still at work saying have you picked up Emily yet because something terrible has happened. 'It's every parent's nightmare, it's absolutely awful. I had constant messages and phone calls checking Emily was ok. People were panicking.' An off-duty firefighter travelling behind a Somerset school coach which overturned was able to save the lives of children by immediately starting to free them minutes after the collision, it emerged yesterday evening. Emergency services rushed to the remote rural location, where one child was pronounced dead at the scene, while 21 others were taken to hospital with various injuries. He praised by Gavin Ellis of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service at the press conference who said: 'I'm grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the coach at the point of the collision who was able to start taking immediate [action] to start releasing those casualties from the bus.' Another parent, John Delany, 30, said he drives the 'nasty' stretch of road where the accident happened every day to commute to his job in an agricultural showroom - he has witnessed other cars crash off in recent months and almost lost control himself. He said: 'That road is a nasty piece of road, I drive it every day and there was a Peugeot that crashed in the same place in the past few months but luckily they didn't go over the edge. 'The water just sits on the road and you can easily just go straight down. The corner where it happened I only go around at 25mph so you can imagine with a bus that is much heavier it's easy to have an accident.' One child has died after a bus bringing school students back from an end-of-term trip overturned and fell 20ft down a steep embankment (photo from the scene) Emergency services, including five helicopters, rushed to the scene on the A396 in Somerset to free passengers who had become trapped inside the bus John, who has two daughters at the school, Rosie, eight, and Novayah, six, who were too young to be on the zoo trip added: 'We know one of the children who was rushed to hospital but his mum let us know that he is ok. 'The girls were in an absolute state last night wanting to know if their friends were ok. who works in an agricultural showroom The Reverend Philip Butcher, Vicar of Minehead, said: 'It has been an immense shock and this tragedy and it is still unfolding. 'There's a huge network of people involved here and we are all trying to come to terms with what happened. 'Yesterday was a desperately traumatic day for everybody here but everybody came together, it was heartwarming to see, even in the most desperate circumstances.' Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington of Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the fatality: 'We can confirm tonight that one child has sadly died. 'A formal identification process will need to be carried out, but our thoughts and sympathies are with their family, who we are in contact with. 'A specially-trained officer will be providing them with support.' Minehead Middle School had listed the zoo visit on its website as part of its 'Enrichment Week' activities for Year Five pupils. Floral tributes laid at Minehead Middle School in Minehead Somerset this morning Flowers were left outside the school after a child died and several people were serious injuried after the coach overturned Floral tributes were being left outside Minehead Middle School on Friday morning. Staff and students from the nearby Kingsmead School in Wiveliscombe had left a condolence card with a bunch of flowers. The card said: 'Our thoughts are with all the children, parents, staff and transport.' Minehead Middle School, which caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term, remained closed on Friday. One local was in tears when she came to drop a bouquet of flowers. She said: 'I'm still in shock. I had a child in this school she's 18 now. 'We are a tight knit community around here. It affects the whole community around here. I've just been down to Tesco and everyone is red eyed. 'Everyone I talk to bursts into tears. 'The children were year 5s. I know people with children in the school. 'My friend's niece was involved she's ok but she had to get stitches in her leg. 'You feel so helpless there's nothing you can do.' One card read: 'RIP. We sure are going to miss your infectious smile. Shine bright angel. Thinking of your family, much love.' One family left a small blue cuddly toy of a seal with a tag around its neck which said: 'dear friend. Nothing you ever done in the world would lead you to deserve this. I love performing in The Regal (a local theatre) and will dedicate all my shows to you' Another simply read: 'Gone too soon'. One card said: 'Thinking of everyone at this heart breaking and devastating time. Our community is holding you all tight and surrounding you with love..' Another read: 'Our hearts are broken but we stand strong to support you at this most difficult time.' 'RIP little one, fly high with the angels.' Among those arriving to pay tribute was Karin White who said: 'It's a bit of a shock. We know the area where the coach tumbled over the hill. From the aerial view you can see it's all wooded and it's terrible.' Meghan White also said from the scene: 'I used to travel there daily to go to work. It's easy to forget how steep it is down the side of the banks. She knows one of the adults who was on the bus but she said they are ok. 'I was very shocked. I reached out to all my friends and family and people who go to the school just to see if they had anyone involved and if they need any help. 'It's incredible that everyone has came out to pay tribute.' One of the school's teachers posted on Facebook: 'My amazing students, I couldn't be prouder of all of you, how incredibly brave you have been. 'You have looked after each in what was a life-changing event, we will get through this together. 'I feel so lucky to be your teacher. I am so grateful to my wonderful colleagues during this time who were also fighting to help as many people as we could. 'My deepest condolences to all parents, carers, family and friends involved. Several people have been rushed to hospital after a bus that was carrying school students back from a day trip came off the road in a horrific crash. Picture from the scene 'Finally, thank you to the emergency services who have saved many lives and to the brilliant public who went out of their way to look after myself and most importantly the wonderful students of Minehead Middle School.' The driver of a school coach which crashed near Minehead, Somerset, is in a stable condition, the bus company's owner has said. Ridlers Coaches director Peter Prior-Sankey said in a statement: 'Everyone at Ridlers is truly devastated by yesterday's tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers remain with the pupils, their families, and the school. 'Our thanks go to the incredible emergency service teams for their response, and to those across our local hospitals and community who have done so much for those impacted over the last 24 hours. 'I can confirm that the driver is himself in a stable condition in hospital, but with a number of injuries. We are in contact with his wife and family, and have offered ongoing support.' He added that staff at the company are being supported and he and his team are liaising with Somerset Council. Mr Prior-Sankey said a decision had been made not to run any school routes into Minehead today, and that ongoing discussions will be had over the coming days concerning any other affected routes or contracts. An eyewitness said the coach had gone off a steep slope by the A396 Cutcombe Hill between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe. The resident, who asked not to be named, said: 'The coach has gone down the slope. It's pretty steep around here and it's a big coach. 'There are no barriers along there or anything. We're used to it, you don't even notice it. 'I can't believe it happened quite honestly, it's the biggest thing I have known to go over the slope. 'It's horrendous, and I'm just so sorry for all those kids on that coach.' Mr Ellis from the fire brigade said: 'We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment. 'Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances, and they also supported our ambulance colleagues with casualty treatment. 'This was a very complex and technically difficult incident for our crews to deal with, and I'm grateful for the tireless effort and actions of the crews in doing everything they could for those who were trapped and as quickly as safely as possible.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there were 'no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child'. 'A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset,' he wrote on X. 'There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child. 'All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected. 'Thank you to the emergency workers who are responding at pace - I'm being kept up to date on this situation.' Police said on Thursday evening there have been a 'number of casualties' and declared a major incident Police said most of the passengers had been taken off the bus but fire crews were still rescuing others The update on Thursday evening came after the force confirmed there had been a 'number of casualties' and declared a major incident. Police said the majority of the passengers had been safely taken off the bus and transported to a nearby rest centre. Others were left trapped on the bus and had to be rescued by fire crews and paramedics. One of the air ambulances that attended was seen landing at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, which is home to the West's major trauma centres, BBC News reported. Avon and Somerset Police said: 'A major incident has been declared as emergency services work together to respond to a collision involving a coach on the A396 this afternoon. 'We understand the coach was carrying approximately 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time. 'We can confirm a number of casualties have been conveyed to hospital. 'The large majority of passengers have been taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross and we are working with the school to help them return at the earliest opportunity. 'Officers are at the school to help with that process, and we would ask any parents to please head there. Police said the majority of the passengers have been taken to rest centre in Wheddon Cross and advised parents to head to the school The 70-seater vehicle was taking pupils back to Minehead Middle School when the smash happened at around 3pm (picture from the scene) 'The road remains closed. We'd please ask people avoid the area so emergency services' response to this incident is not impacted.' Minehead Middle School caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term. A spokesperson for Beacon Education MAT - the trust that the school is part of - said it was supporting families and staff at this 'very difficult time'. They added: 'We will update our school community further as soon as more information becomes available, and we kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we manage this evolving situation with care and sensitivity.' Peter Prior-Sankey, director of Ridlers, said: 'We were made aware of an incident involving one of our 70-seater vehicles at about 3.15pm this afternoon, understood to have taken place as a group of school pupils were returning from a daytrip. 'We have since been liaising with both the school, and the emergency services, while we try to understand the extent of the incident. 'Everyone within the Ridlers team is of course deeply concerned and anxious to find out more detail - particularly concerning the welfare of the driver and passengers. 'While we wait for further information from police and other emergency teams, our hearts of course go out to the school pupils and to our driver. A police car is seen outside Minehead Middle School in Somerset on Thursday evening Minehead Middle School caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term The A396 Cutcombe Hill is a winding rural road in the heart of Exmoor National Park 'We will be doing everything possible to understand what has happened.' South West Ambulance Service said: 'Along with other emergency services, we're attending a road traffic collision involving a coach near Minehead. 'People travelling in the area are advised to avoid the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Dunster and find an alternative route.' Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said the fatal school coach crash in Minehead was 'tragic' and she is 'heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family'. She told BBC Breakfast the coach was coming from Exmoor Zoo, when it came off the road and went down a 20ft slope, adding that it was 'pretty catastrophic'. Asked about the area, Ms Gilmour said: 'It's a very difficult road, very, very steep, very windy, and it's just the nature of rural roads in my constituency, you know, Minehead famously, only has one road that takes you into it on the A39 and if you're coming from where I live in Bampton or across the Moor, those are the roads that you have to use.' Ms Gilmour praised the 'fabulous job' the emergency services did, adding: 'We've been told up to 20 ambulances went to the scene, three air ambulances, obviously paramedics, police, firemen, you know, just deeply grateful to our emergency services and just heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family.' She said she visited Minehead Middle School recently and it is a 'fantastic school' with a 'great headmistress'.
Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
Thomas Partey: Ex-Arsenal player charged with rape to appear in court today
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is due to appear in court today, charged with raping two women. The 32-year-old, who was charged four days after leaving the north London club when his contract expired back in June, faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts against another. The sexual assault allegation relates to a third woman, the Crown Prosecution Service has said. The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022. The Metropolitan Police said it first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022. Partey's lawyer Jenny Wiltshire has previously said the Ghanaian "denies all the charges against him" - and looks forward to the chance to "finally clear his name". Partey joined Arsenal from Spanish side Atletico Madrid in 2020 and became a regular for manager Mikel Arteta, who last month said he was "100% sure" the club followed the correct protocols. An Arsenal spokesperson previously said: "The player's contract ended on 30 June. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case." Partey made 35 appearances for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals.
Sky News
3 hours ago
- Sky News
Police warn of mass arrests if Palestine Action protest goes ahead
Police are warning of mass arrests if a protest in support of the banned group Palestine Action goes ahead on Saturday. Hundreds of people are expected to turn out for the demonstration, which is understood to be planned for London. However, the Metropolitan Police said "anyone showing support for the group can expect to be arrested." "We are aware that the organisers of Saturday's planned protest are encouraging hundreds of people to turn out with the intention of placing a strain on the police and the wider criminal justice system," said a spokesperson. The organisers, a pressure group called Defend Our Juries, denied their protest will try to overwhelm the police and justice system. "If we are allowed to protest peacefully and freely, then that is no bother to anyone," said the group in a statement. 1:29 Palestine Action was banned under terrorism laws after two aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the vandalism of the planes was "disgraceful" and accused the group of a "long history of unacceptable criminal damage". The ban means membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. More than 200 people supporting the group were arrested at Defend Our Juries protests across the UK last month, many of whom held placards with the message: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action." Downing Street has urged people not to attend this weekend's protest. It comes after around 40 people gathered outside Labour HQ on Monday to protest the party's stance on Gaza. They were watched by a small group of police officers as they chanted phrases including: "Shame on Keir Starmer, shame on the Labour Party, shame on David Lammy." Separately, the Board of Deputies of British Jews has also confirmed it will protest this weekend, with community organisations marching through central London to Downing Street on Sunday. They are calling for the government not to recognise the state of Palestine without all hostages taken by Hamas being released. Last week, Sir Keir Starmer said he planned to recognise Palestine by the UN General Assembly meeting in September, unless Israel met certain conditions including agreeing a ceasefire and improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
