Teen caged for playground stab attack

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Teen caged for playground stab attack

Thursday, 08 October 2009

The victim was stabbed eight times

A TEENAGER who stabbed a stranger eight times after a stand-off in a children’s play area has been jailed for more than four years.

George Owerho, 17, was caught on CCTV repeatedly plunging a butterfly knife into the back and neck of Eugene Boakye, 22, in the entrance to a block of flats.

His friend Oluwatosin Sowemimo, also 17, joined in the attack by repeatedly punching Mr Boakye.

The victim suffered “potentially fatal injuries” in the attack while on his way to Fairford House, Kennington, just after 9pm on April 26 this year.

Mr Boakye was heckled by a group of boys and walked over to confront them, before walking off.

As the victim retreated, Owerho and Sowemimo followed him, and without warning Owerho made “numerous stabbing blows to the back”, the court heard.

Owerho, who has convictions for robbery, was charged on May 6 when tests showed a match to the DNA of the victim.

Both youths were charged with attempted murder, but admitted wounding with intent ahead of a trial last month.

Judge John Roberts said Owerho posed a “significant risk to members of the public”.

He jailed him for four years and three months on Friday, with a further licence period of three years.

Sowemimo got three years and four months for his part in the attack.

Sowemimo, of John Ruskin Street, Kennington, and Owerho of Dawes Street, Walworth, admitted wounding with intent.

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