PAUL ERHAHON: Murderers get life

5:17pm Friday 9th May 2008

THREE teenagers have been given life sentences for the murder of 14-year-old Paul Erhahon in Leytonstone last year.

Justice Brian Keith on Friday, May 9, lifted the ban on publishing their names.

Kevin Adu Marcet, 15, of Cathall Road, Leytonstone, Paul Benfield, 17, of Corn Way, Leytonstone, and Jordan Conn, 16, of Greenford, west London, were all found guilty of murder at the OId Bailey last month.

Adu Marcet and Benfield, who were also found guilty of the attempted murder of Paul's 15-year-old friend, were both ordered to serve 13 years. Conn was given an 11-year sentence.

In addition, two youths were found guilty of manslaughter - Theo Diah, 20, of Anglican Road, Leytonstone, and Nathan Desnoes,16, of Borthwich Road, Leytonstone.

Diah was given an indeterminate sentence with a minimum sentence of seven years and Desnoes an indeterminate sentence with a minimum sentence of four years.

A sixth youth, Scott Taylor, 18, of Melon Road, Leytonstone, received a six-and-a -half year sentence for the attempted murder of Paul's 15-year-old friend.

Justice Keith had strong words for Marcet and Benfield when he delivered his verdict.

"These were brazen, shocking attacks and made all the worse because you didn't appear to care who saw you," he said.

He added: "What makes this so worrying is that a number of you come from what appear to be decent families - so you turned into would-be killers that you became didn't start at home.

"There is a self-evidently a culture among boys of your age to with the carrying of knives which needs to be changed."

The Justice added that this was for teachers, sociologists, and politicians to decide but the courts had to send out a strong message.

Paul and his friend were attacked by a gang in the foyer of Gean Court in Langthorne Road, Leytonstone, on Good Friday last year.

Paul was stabbed through the heart with a seven-inch sword and tried to stagger to his Buttermere Close home.

He was found bleeding to death by his parents near his home.

His friend was subjected to five knife wounds but recovered in hospital.

Before the sentencing, investigating officer Det Insp Mike Foote, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "This was a senseless act of gratuitous violence. Paul and his friend had done nothing to provoke the defendants, giving them no reason to attack in this shocking manner.

"We still don't have a clear idea of why this happened but it's believed it began because the leader of the group wanted to rob Paul.

"Some of the defendants knew the victims and when one called Paul over and he refused to move, it may have been sparked what followed.

"But essentially we believe this was an opportunist crime and Paul and his friend were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Afterwards the defendants went to the local park where they talked about what they had done while laughing and joking.".

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