crime reporter(es/wp):
A mob of youths stabbed a 17-year-old boy through the heart when they were summoned to “sort out” gatecrashers at a girl’s 16th birthday party, the Old Bailey heard today.
Che Labastide-Wellington was knifed in the chest as he tried to flee from the posse of young men who had descended on the house party in Kenton last November, the court heard.
The mother of the birthday girl had banned alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes from the party and insisted everyone on the tightly-controlled guest list was searched before they entered the home.
But despite her efforts to maintain control, a group of teenagers from the estates in nearby Kingsbury turned up uninvited and were refused entry to the house, in Belvedere Way, Kenton, jurors were told.
Prosecutor Crispin Aylett QC said the group outside made partygoers feel “uncomfortable”, and while Che – who had been invited – went outside to talk to them, another partygoer, 15, is accused of calling his cousin to organise for reinforcements to come to the party.
“Within 40 minutes or so, a group of thirteen young men had set off on foot from Wembley Park heading for Kenton”, said the prosecutor.
“In the course of the journey they were joined by four others. In all then, by the time they got to Belvedere Way, their numbers had swelled to 17.
“For what reason did this small army descend on Belvedere Way?
“The prosecution suggest that they were there to sort out the youths who had been making life difficult for (the 15-year-old boy).”
Calvin Tudor, 22, his brother Marlon, 23, Walker Sesay, 18, Rimmel Williams, 18, Omar Afrah, 22, Ibrahim Mansaray, 18, and Olamilekan Kennedy Onafowokan, 23, are all standing trial for the murder on November 8 last year.
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named, is also in the dock accused of initiating the attack.
It is said the group also stabbed a 16-year-old boy who was with Che six times in the arms and legs, but he survived the attack.
Mr Aylett told the jury: “As the defendants’ group approached the house where the party was taking place, there were about half a dozen youths outside in the street, including the two boys who got stabbed.
“The prosecution allege that the defendants’ group appeared split in order to surround those who were outside the party.”
The court heard Che pulled out a knife and charged at the group surrounding them, but he himself was knifed in the chest - piercing his heart - as he tried to get away.
“Although he was able to break through the group and run into an alleyway, Che soon collapsed”, said Mr Aylett.
“He fell, face down onto the ground.”
Paramedics performed open heart surgery on Che, a business student, on the pavement in an attempt to save his life, but he died at the scene.
Calvin Tudor, of Kelly Close, Willesden, Sesay, of Rawlings Crescent, Wembley, Williams, of Churchill Road, Willesden, Marlon Tudor, of no fixed address, Afrah, of Walton Avenue, Wembley, Mansaray, from Cotton Avenue, Acton, Onafowokan, of Page Avenue, Wembley, all deny murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The 15-year-old denies conspiracy to cause grievous harm with intent.
The trial continues
A mob of youths stabbed a 17-year-old boy through the heart when they were summoned to “sort out” gatecrashers at a girl’s 16th birthday party, the Old Bailey heard today.
Che Labastide-Wellington was knifed in the chest as he tried to flee from the posse of young men who had descended on the house party in Kenton last November, the court heard.
The mother of the birthday girl had banned alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes from the party and insisted everyone on the tightly-controlled guest list was searched before they entered the home.
But despite her efforts to maintain control, a group of teenagers from the estates in nearby Kingsbury turned up uninvited and were refused entry to the house, in Belvedere Way, Kenton, jurors were told.
Prosecutor Crispin Aylett QC said the group outside made partygoers feel “uncomfortable”, and while Che – who had been invited – went outside to talk to them, another partygoer, 15, is accused of calling his cousin to organise for reinforcements to come to the party.
“Within 40 minutes or so, a group of thirteen young men had set off on foot from Wembley Park heading for Kenton”, said the prosecutor.
“In the course of the journey they were joined by four others. In all then, by the time they got to Belvedere Way, their numbers had swelled to 17.
“For what reason did this small army descend on Belvedere Way?
“The prosecution suggest that they were there to sort out the youths who had been making life difficult for (the 15-year-old boy).”
Calvin Tudor, 22, his brother Marlon, 23, Walker Sesay, 18, Rimmel Williams, 18, Omar Afrah, 22, Ibrahim Mansaray, 18, and Olamilekan Kennedy Onafowokan, 23, are all standing trial for the murder on November 8 last year.
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named, is also in the dock accused of initiating the attack.
It is said the group also stabbed a 16-year-old boy who was with Che six times in the arms and legs, but he survived the attack.
Mr Aylett told the jury: “As the defendants’ group approached the house where the party was taking place, there were about half a dozen youths outside in the street, including the two boys who got stabbed.
“The prosecution allege that the defendants’ group appeared split in order to surround those who were outside the party.”
The court heard Che pulled out a knife and charged at the group surrounding them, but he himself was knifed in the chest - piercing his heart - as he tried to get away.
“Although he was able to break through the group and run into an alleyway, Che soon collapsed”, said Mr Aylett.
“He fell, face down onto the ground.”
Paramedics performed open heart surgery on Che, a business student, on the pavement in an attempt to save his life, but he died at the scene.
Calvin Tudor, of Kelly Close, Willesden, Sesay, of Rawlings Crescent, Wembley, Williams, of Churchill Road, Willesden, Marlon Tudor, of no fixed address, Afrah, of Walton Avenue, Wembley, Mansaray, from Cotton Avenue, Acton, Onafowokan, of Page Avenue, Wembley, all deny murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The 15-year-old denies conspiracy to cause grievous harm with intent.
The trial continues
