Regents Park Road, Finchley stabbing: Killer jailed

Tyrese Jennings, 21, was found guilty of the manslaughter of 18-year-old Yusuf Mahamoud in Finchley. 

Yusuf was killed in an horror attack in Regents Park Road on the evening of August 7 last year. 

Yusuf and friends had been at a nearby restaurant but as he left Jennings and two other males confronted him. 

During the altercation Yousuf was stabbed in the neck and the three males made off. 

Prosecutor Alan Gardner KC had alleged that it was an “unprovoked, unjustified” attack. 

Jennings and two youths, aged 16 and 17, were charged with murder.

All three were cleared of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey, but a jury found Jennings guilty of manslaughter by a majority of 10 to two. 

Police at the scene in Regents Park Road (Image: @ESCOBARARIAS1/Twitter) After Jennings was jailed for 13 years on Wednesday (October 9) Detective Chief Inspector Tom Williams, from the Met’s Specialist Crime team, said: "Our thoughts today are with Yusuf's family. He was a young man with his life ahead of him and they continue to grieve his untimely loss. 

“I hope seeing the conviction and today the sentencing of Jennings brings them some small comfort." 

During the trial the jury it was alleged that the 16-year-old defendant spotted Yusuf, then spoke to Jennings by phone and contacted the 17-year-old defendant, who cycled to the scene. 

Jennings came out of his house in nearby Lichfield Grove with a large knife and wearing a ski mask. 

Although the two youths were present at the scene of the stabbing, it was Jennings who struck the fatal blow, the court was told. 

The three defendants fled the scene but were arrested and charged with murder a few days later. 

Following his arrest, Jennings issued a prepared statement in which he claimed to have acted in self defence. 

He claimed the victim spoke to him aggressively and he believed he was about to be robbed of his mobile phone. 

He stated: “As I approached the corner of Lichfield Grove the victim moved closer to me touching his waist, I believed that I was about to be stabbed and that it was him or me. 

“I produced a knife I had been carrying in self defence and tried to ward him off with it. 

“At all times I acted in lawful self defence.” 

Tyrese Jennings (Image: Met Police) Mr Gardner said that it was discovered the victim had been armed with a large knife as he was being treated by paramedics. 

The blade was strapped to his leg within two pairs of trousers in a sheath, the court had heard. 

The two youths admitted being at the scene on bikes but denied participating in a joint enterprise with Jennings to kill or cause really serious harm to the victim.