A man who chased a teenager down the street before fatally stabbing him in the neck has been jailed for life.
Sadikee Williams, 37, was found guilty on May 27 of murdering a 16-year-old boy, although a motive remains unclear.
Keane Flynn-Harling, 16, was found with a stab wound to his neck on Kibworth Street, in Lambeth, on July 5, 2021.
Following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court, Williams was convicted today (June 8) and sentenced to life imprisonment.
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He will serve a minimum of 21 years behind bars.
Emergency services attended the scene after members of the public heard the boy cry for help.
Keane was pronounced dead at the scene 45 minutes after the attack.
A special post-mortem confirmed that he had died as a result of a single deep stab wound to his neck.
He had also received a significant stab wound to his face.
Williams and at least two other men were standing on a first-floor flat balcony when Keane walked past with two friends, according to police.
One of the men on the balcony shouted out to him and a “short exchange took place” while Williams ran towards Keane, stabbing him in the neck.
Officers say Williams and two other men chased Keane’s friends, but they were able to escape, while Keane ran for a short time before collapsing.
Police arrested Williams a week later due to a distinct jacket he wore at the time of the stabbing, as well as phone cell data.
In an interview, Williams replied with “no comment” to all questions, until he was presented with CCTV from the day of the murder.
The footage showed him wearing the jacket and he had to admit it was him.
He then asked to consult with his solicitor.
At trial, he admitted being at the flat but denied leaving the property to carry out the attack.
On July 14, he was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Keane's family said: “Keane was a beautiful, kind, caring and loving son.
“A wonderful young man who would always light up a room.
“He had a huge smile and an even bigger heart.
“His family meant everything to him.
“He was a doting older brother and cousin who enjoyed riding bikes and playing football with his friends.
"Keane’s presence will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, especially his mother, father, brothers, and sister.”
Detective Inspector Adam Guttridge, from Specialist Crime South, said: “Williams is a dangerous individual who did not hesitate in killing a teenage boy in cold blood.
“Whilst his reasons for carrying out the murder remain unknown, what we do know is that the moment he saw Keane and his friends that evening he was intent on causing serious harm and had no regard for the consequences or devastation he would cause.
“Keane’s family have had to suffer this unbearable loss because of his actions.
“While Williams made efforts to hide his tracks, it was thanks to the efforts of the officers in their meticulous work around CCTV and mobile phone analysis, as well as the testimonies of a number of key witnesses that we were able to present such a strong case and secure this prosecution.”
A spokesperson for Met Police said: “Keane Flynn-Harling, 16, from Lambeth, was discovered in a south London street on Monday, 5 July with a stab wound to his neck.
“Sadikee Williams, 37 (03.08.84) of Robsart Street, SW9, was jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 21 years, at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday, 8 June.
“He was found guilty of murder at the same court on Friday, 27 May. A motive for the killing remains unclear.
“Police were called to Kibworth Street, SW8, just before midnight on Monday, 5 July by several members of the public who heard Keane’s cries for help.
“Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene, but sadly Keane was pronounced dead by paramedics less than 45 minutes after the incident.
“A special post mortem confirmed that he had died as a result of a single deep stab wound to his neck. He had also received a significant stab wound to his face.
“That night Williams, and at least two other men, had been on the balcony of a first floor flat in Sturminster House, Kibworth Street, SW8.
“As Keane walked past the flat in the company of two friends, one of the men shouted out to him and a short exchange took place.
“At the same moment, Williams left the address and ran towards Keane, stabbing him in the neck. Following the murder he and two other men chased Keane’s friends but they were able to escape. Keane ran for a short distance before collapsing.
“An investigation was launched by the Specialist Crime South, and a week later Williams was arrested after officers were able to identify him because of a distinctive jacket he had been seen wearing at the time of the murder.
“The same jacket was found at the Sturminster House flat during searches by officers.
“Mobile phone cell site data also placed Williams in the vicinity of the address at the time of the murder.
“In interview Williams replied no comment to all questions, until he was presented with CCTV from the day of the murder in which he could be seen wearing the jacket and had to admit it was him in the footage.
“He then asked to consult with his solicitor.
“Ultimately, at trial he admitted being at the flat, but denied leaving the property to carry out the attack.
“On July 14, he was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon and subsequently convicted.”
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