Teenagers jailed for stabbing murder of boy, 17

Two teenagers have been jailed for life for murdering a boy who was stabbed to death just days before his 18th birthday.

Prince Walker-Ayeni, 17, was killed on Raby Street in Moss Side, Manchester, on 4 April.

A 16-year-old boy from Rusholme in the city was sentenced to a minimum term of 15 years, while a 16-year-old boy from Whalley Range was ordered to serve at least eight years and six months.

The pair, who cannot be named because of their age, were found guilty of murder after a trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in November.

Greater Manchester Police said the two boys had met Prince and his friend on Raby Street before an altercation took place.

The teenagers threw punches at each other before Prince and his friend left, but they were followed by the pair who were "intent on causing some serious harm", the force said.

Less than 45 seconds after the initial confrontation ended, Prince had been stabbed and left to die in the street.

CCTV showed the teenagers running from the scene with one of them being heard to say "you better dash that quick" in relation to the murder weapon.

A member of the public found Prince and called for help and he was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary but died a short time later.

A 44-year-old woman from Manchester also received a nine-month suspended sentence for perverting the course of justice after she was asked to dispose of a sim card that had been hidden, and for hampering the investigation by misleading officers as to the ownership of an iPhone and sim card.

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Ch Insp Neil Higginson said: "Firstly, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Prince's family and friends.

"They have shown undeniable togetherness in the face of adversity, they have carried themselves with dignity and respect throughout the course of this investigation and subsequent trial.

"Prince's death is another hard-hitting reminder of the devastating effect that carrying knives can have, not only has one boy lost his life but the impact of this incident has left a family scarred, something that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives."

Prince's uncle, Kemoy Walker, a prominent anti-knife crime campaigner in Manchester, said he wanted to see a strategy to tackle the issue "organised by local people" following his nephew's death.

Speaking to the BBC in November, he said many others affected by knife violence did not get "justice in their families, so my heart goes out to them".

He added: "Speaking to other youth workers, there needs to be the development of an anti-knife crime strategy that is local to Manchester and is organised by local people."

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