Boy, 17, found guilty of stabbing to death Duran Kajiama in Dagenham
Duran Kajiama was stabbed to death in Dagenham. Picture: MET POLICE - Credit: Archant
A teenage boy has been found guilty of stabbing to death a college student during a row in Dagenham.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attacked Duran Kajiama as he walked with his 16-year-old friend in Church Street on November 12 last year.
Four days after the killing he tried to flee the country using his Nigerian passport but was arrested at Heathrow Airport as he tried to board a Turkish Airlines flight to Lagos.
The Old Bailey heard the two victims were walking to Pizza Go Go in Church Elm Lane, when a row erupted outside a convenience store during which they were stabbed.
Duran died from a single stab wound to the abdomen and his friend, who was stabbed three times, survived his injuries.
Detectives identified Duran’s killer through witness accounts, CCTV and forensic evidence at the scene.
Today he was convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
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He was acquitted of murder.
He will be sentenced on July 19.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams, said: “This was a brutal and senseless attack on two young men as they were simply walking to get a pizza.
“There was absolutely no need for a verbal dispute to escalate to any sort of violence. Yet the use of a knife tragically and needlessly transformed what may have been an altercation and a scuffle into a horrific act of violence leading to the death of one teenager and serious injuries to his friend.
“My thoughts are with Duran’s family and with the friend who was seriously injured on the night of the attack. I hope this conviction provides some measure of comfort for them.”
Two 16-year-old boys were acquitted of murder and manslaughter.