A adolescent who recorded himself stabbing a 15-year-old schoolboy to death has been sentenced to at least 13 years in prison.
On 11 June of last year, Jalan Woods-Bell was on his way to school when a 16-year-old killer was seen on surveillance footage pursuing him.
Following a fight, the unarmed student sustained several fatal stab wounds and died at the scene.
The unidentified defendant drew a Rambo-style knife from his waistband before pursuing Jalan, slicing his face, and stabbing him in the chest.
Jalan attempted to defend himself with a traffic cone when he was slain near Hayes’ Global Academy, a high school college.
On 11 June of last year, Jalan Woods-Bell, 15, was conversing with his buddies when the 16-year-old killer was seen on surveillance footage following him.
He was pronounced dead at the spot despite the efforts of emergency responders.
The court heard that the killer continued his route to school, where he was caught shortly thereafter.
According to eyewitness accounts, the assailant appeared to be recording the assault on his smartphone.
Tia Rek-Williams, a 21-year-old teacher who lived in close proximity to the crime scene, stated that she did not see the assault but did saw the 15-year-old victim getting treated and lying on the ground.
As they were urging “come on, you’ve only got 30 seconds, hold on, keep fighting,” I observed his hand fall and his eyes close. “It was very traumatic,” she remarked.
The unidentified defendant drew a Rambo-style knife from his waistband before pursuing Jalan, slicing his face, and stabbing him in the chest.
Jalan was unarmed when he was accosted near Hayes’ Global Academy, a high school college.
During his police interrogation after his arrest, he refused to answer any questions or provide any explanations.
The defendant from west London was found guilty of manslaughter and public knife possession.
He was sentenced to thirteen years in jail, with an additional three years to be served on probation.
The inquiry was lead by Detective Inspector Mike Nolan, who stated that the victim attempted to defend himself with a traffic cone while the defendant stabbed him.
“Jalan was walking to school with his companions when he was attacked by the defendant,” said Detective Inspector Nolan.
In June of last year, unarmed Jalan was stabbed without provocation on Bythe Road in Hayes, West London, on a Friday morning.
“While it is evident that these two teens had some sort of dispute, nothing can excuse the taking of another life.”
“The defendant sought to explain his actions by claiming self-defense, however the evidence and eyewitness reports reveal he was carrying a huge knife in his gloved hand.”
In contrast, Jalan was unarmed and attempted to defend himself with a traffic cone.
Once again, a teen has been murdered with a knife, and another family is mourning the death of a child. Today, our thoughts are with them.
“We are determined to do everything it takes to combat violence, but we need the assistance of our communities and partners to do so.”
Together, we can assist in educating youth and guiding them away from a life of violence.