Rayon Pennycook murder: Teen jailed for killing boy in Corby

A teenager who stabbed a 16-year-old boy to death during an armed confrontation has been jailed for a minimum term of 15 years.

Rayon Pennycook died from a single stab wound in Reynolds Road, Corby, Northamptonshire, on 25 May 2021.

Stefan Draca, 18, was found guilty of murder and of possessing a knife at Northampton Crown Court in December.

During the trial, the court heard the two teenagers had lunged at each other with knives.

The jury heard the confrontation between Draca and Rayon had followed a fight between two women.

Sentencing, Judge David Herbert said he was satisfied Draca had gone to the scene with the intention of provoking something.

He said the case "highlights the dangers caused by young people prepared to carry knives in public".

The judge added that anyone who carried one "stands a short step from murder".

Rayon was armed with a knife when he came out of a house in the area and approached a group of boys, including Draca.

The 16-year-old was stabbed and died from blood loss shortly afterwards.

Summing up, Judge Herbert said when Draca and his friends had arrived "aggressive words" were exchanged with those in the house that Rayon came out of.

He told Draca that although Rayon "was the initial aggressor I have concluded you did not act in self-defence".

The judge said: "You and Rayon became involved in a two-way knife fight.

"I do not conclude that you intended to kill Rayon Pennycook, but you intended to inflict a really serious injury."

The court heard a number of victim statements from Rayon's family and girlfriend.

His mother, Sharon Pennycook, said she wakes up every morning to realise her "beautiful son is no longer here".

"I will no longer see his face or hear his laugh," she said.

"Rayon's death has had a great impact on all of us. I am in excruciating pain."

She added her son had been the "life and soul of our family".

Defence barrister, Timothy Clark, told the court Draca had no previous history of carrying knives.

He said: "Although he took a knife to the scene there is insufficient evidence to show he did so with the intention to cause harm."

The court heard Draca had been a "bright student" who had not been in trouble before.

Det Insp Pete Long, from Northamptonshire Police, said the case had been "one of utter tragedy".

He said: "A talented, promising and much-loved young man has lost his life, and another now faces a significant jail term and the loss of his future prospects, as well as having to live with what he has done forever."

He said nothing could replace the "heartbreak suffered by Rayon's family".

"They will carry their loss and pain for the rest of their lives," he added.

"I hope Stefan Draca uses his time in prison to reflect, atone and learn to make better choices.

"This case shows just how dangerous it is to carry a knife - all it takes is one injury to end a life and ruin countless others forever."

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