A schoolboy from Marylebone who stabbed to death a Queen’s Park teenager in Lisson Grove has been jailed for eight years today.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed Bilal Mirza was trying to rob him of his money and iPhone when he knifed him in Salisbury Street on January 8 this year.
Isleworth Crown Court had heard Mr Mirza and his killer knew each other and were even described as being in an apparent friendship.
On that fateful evening Mr Mirza, a devout Muslim and an IT student at City of Westminster College, and his killer had a row in the street resulting in him being stabbed in the leg.
His killer later handed himself in at Paddington Green police station.
He initially told officers he had been carrying a knife with him as a means of self-defence after he discovered Mr Mirza planned to rob him.
The schoolboy claimed to have used a “little tool” with a three to four inch blade but a pathologist who carried out the post-mortem on Mr Mirza said he was stabbed with a blade around five inches long and two inches wide - like a kitchen knife.
The killer’s weapon has never been found.
During the killer’s trial he denied being armed claiming Mr Mirza had a kitchen knife which he used after overpowering him.
He also claimed he had tried to avoid Mr Mirza that evening but prosecutors claimed he could have changed his route home to avoid him.
He was convicted of manslaughter on July 16.
Detective Sergeant Michael Hamlet, investigating officer, said: “This case demonstrates the utterly devastating effects that knives can have on London communities.
“Bilal, a much-loved son, grandson and brother, had his life tragically cut short and a schoolboy is set to be sentenced for his death.”
Mr Mirza’s college released a statement shortly after his death describing him as a “polite, intelligent and quiet student”, adding: “Bilal particularly enjoyed games design and had the goal of becoming a games designer. His classmates are shocked and dismayed at the loss of a friend and fellow student.
“It has been hard to hear of his untimely death and this is a difficult time for all of us as we mourn the loss of someone so young and full of potential.”
Related link: Schoolboy found guilty of killing Queen’s Park teenager in Marylebone
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