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21/09/2012
Life Sentence For 15-Year-Old Over Fatal Stabbing
A 15-year-old boy has been given a life sentence for killing a 14-year-old schoolboy in a stabbing which was recorded on his own mobile phone.
Mustafa Gurpinar, who was 14 at the time, killed Leroy James in a park in Ponders End, north London, during a fight arranged via Facebook.
Gurpinar pulled a knife out of his pocket when the larger boy got the better of him, the Old Bailey heard.
Gurpinar was found guilty last month of murder by a 10-2 majority, and guilty of having a knife as an offensive weapon.
The trial was told that Gurpinar, who called the weapon his "pet" or "alligator", had a fascination with knives. He later talked online about changing his "alligator" for a machete, which he called a "crocodile".
Before the confrontation, Leroy handed his phone to a girl who videoed his death. The disturbing 12-second clip of the attack was shown to jurors.
Judge John Bevan ordered that Gurpinar serve a minimum of 13 years.
He told Gurpinar: "You have an extreme interest in knives. You took the knife to the park. You showed a singular lack of restraint. You knew if he was going to fight, you would win."
The judge said Gurpinar had brought devastation to Leroy's family.
(H)
Mustafa Gurpinar, who was 14 at the time, killed Leroy James in a park in Ponders End, north London, during a fight arranged via Facebook.
Gurpinar pulled a knife out of his pocket when the larger boy got the better of him, the Old Bailey heard.
Gurpinar was found guilty last month of murder by a 10-2 majority, and guilty of having a knife as an offensive weapon.
The trial was told that Gurpinar, who called the weapon his "pet" or "alligator", had a fascination with knives. He later talked online about changing his "alligator" for a machete, which he called a "crocodile".
Before the confrontation, Leroy handed his phone to a girl who videoed his death. The disturbing 12-second clip of the attack was shown to jurors.
Judge John Bevan ordered that Gurpinar serve a minimum of 13 years.
He told Gurpinar: "You have an extreme interest in knives. You took the knife to the park. You showed a singular lack of restraint. You knew if he was going to fight, you would win."
The judge said Gurpinar had brought devastation to Leroy's family.
(H)
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12 June 2012
Court Shown Video Of Teens Death
A jury at the Old Bailey has been shown mobile phone video footage of a London teenager allegedly murdering 14-year-old Leroy James. In the 15-second video Leroy is seen arguing with the defendant, now 15, in a park at Ponders End in Enfield, north London, last August. The video was recorded on Leroy's own phone, the court was told.
Court Shown Video Of Teens Death
A jury at the Old Bailey has been shown mobile phone video footage of a London teenager allegedly murdering 14-year-old Leroy James. In the 15-second video Leroy is seen arguing with the defendant, now 15, in a park at Ponders End in Enfield, north London, last August. The video was recorded on Leroy's own phone, the court was told.
19 August 2011
Two Arrested Over Enfield Teen's Murder
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old in a park in Enfield, north London. Leroy James, 14, from Edmonton, was found by police at the Ponders End Recreation Ground around 5;30pm on Wednesday. He had been stabbed and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two Arrested Over Enfield Teen's Murder
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old in a park in Enfield, north London. Leroy James, 14, from Edmonton, was found by police at the Ponders End Recreation Ground around 5;30pm on Wednesday. He had been stabbed and was pronounced dead at the scene.
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