17-year-old found guilty of Old Kent Road attempted murder

Following an investigation by Southwark CID the youth (who cannot be named) appeared for trial at the Inner London Crown Court on 23 September charged with two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of attempted murder.

He was found guilty of all three counts and will be sentenced next month.

Police were called to an incident outside Tesco in the Old Kent Road at around 4.40pm on 28 November 2007. Three youths had suffered stabbing injuries. They were all taken by ambulance to separate London hospitals.

Victim 1 sustained a head injury and was taken to hospital. The knife was still embedded in his head. Victim 2 suffered a chest injury but was later discharged from hospital. Victim 3 suffered minor injuries to the shoulder and was discharged the following day.

The court heard that the defendant and two others tried to rob a boy outside Tesco. The intended victim's friends stepped in and were stabbed.

The defendant was seen running away having dropped his hat at the crime scene and his mobile phone. He was heard to shout to his companions to go back and get his hat.

The items were recovered and sent to the Forensic Science Service where a few days later the suspect was identified. He was arrested on 1 Deember at his home address and charged the following day.

The victims have recovered although the boy knifed in the head is still under close hospital supervision.

Following the trial, which included evidence given by an anonymous witness, the jury reached a unanimous verdict.

"Anyone who carries a knife risks a heavy jail sentence," warns DC Scott Albert.

"The defendant has affected four lives, including his own. Anyone thinking of carrying a knife should be warned by this case. Don't be a statistic. Life is precious."