A teen was found guilty Thursday of stabbing another young teen to death outside of a fast food restaurant, in what police called an unprovoked attack.
BBC News reports that 15-year-old Jay Hughes, known as Jai Sewell to friends, was attacked outside of Morley’s chicken shop in Bellingham, London, in November 2018.
On Thursday, a 17-year-old was convicted of murder after he stabbed Jay with a machete, then called out, “I got one,” to his fellow gang members, who were apparently fighting with a rival gang when the stabbing occurred.
Police said Jay was not in a gang and the stabbing was a case of mistaken identity.
“Jay Hughes was just a 15-year-old child who was simply waiting for a friend and planning to spend the evening at a youth club; this could have been anyone’s child that evening,” Detective inspector David Hillier said. “What Jay did not know, was that at that moment the defendant had armed himself with a knife and set out with others to do violence.”
Youth charged with murder of Jay Hughes, 15, in #Bellingham https://t.co/XmtE9LdML2 pic.twitter.com/r4fTLgyfqd
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) December 12, 2018
After the stabbing, the 17-year-old changed his hairstyle, threw away his cellphone, and went into hiding, according to prosecutors.
Prior to the incident, Jay and a friend were standing outside of the fast food restaurant, according to NS, when three males in a black Ford Galaxy pulled up. The men, all with machete knives, ran toward Jay and his friend. While the friend fled, Jay, possibly not knowing what was going on, stayed put.
“Jay was talking to a friend when the events unfolded around him. Witnesses later told police he did nothing to provoke the attack, he did not even run. I doubt Jay really understood what was happening in front of him,” Hillier added.
“The defendant wickedly approached and stabbed a defenceless child through the heart. A witness heard him boast that he had ‘got one’ and I am at loss to understand how anyone could crow about such a despicable act.”
Security footage captured the incident, leading police to the teen killer’s home in Pence. Although he had already fled his home by the time authorities arrived, they later found him in the Gravesend area with a hunting knife in his waistband.
Friends described Jay as “loving and thoughtful” and a well-known “sweet little boy,” according to the Evening Standard.
The defendant is scheduled for sentencing in August. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Jay Hughes/Facebook]
