Three teenagers jailed for 'senseless' murder of Anthony Adekola in Colindale

Anthony Adekola, 22, nicknamed Lizzy, was stabbed multiple times in Martlesham Walk as he walked home from work on September 5 last year.

Tajaun Subaran, 19, of New Brent Street, Hendon, and two 17-year-olds also from Hendon, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared at the Old Bailey today (November 5) after being found guilty of murder on August 23.

Subaran was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 22 years.

One 17-year-old boy was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 18 years.

The other was sentenced to 17 years and six months.

The court heard that on September 5 2020, at around 9.15pm, Anthony left work at Colindale's Marks and Spencer store, and was near his home on the Grahame Park Estate when two taxis pulled up and eight young men got out.

A group of men left the vehicles and waited on Booth Road for a matter of seconds before Anthony crossed the road towards them.

CCTV footage showed Anthony standing on the pavement, speaking to them for a few seconds before suddenly running away.

Anthony tried to make it home but tripped over a concrete bollard on the way into the alley, where he was caught by the thugs.

The group then subjected Mr Adekola to a brutal attack, stabbing him at least nine times in the face, head, neck, back, chest, arms and leg.

The fatal stab wound to his neck severed the carotid artery and jugular vein.

Anthony was left in the alleyway with catastrophic injuries and was found by his brother and his friends at around 11pm.

Emergency services arrived at 11.15pm but Anthony was pronounced dead at 11.45pm.

The post mortem examination gave the cause of death as a haemorrhage and a stab wound to the neck.

The vehicles at the scene of the murder were identified following an investigation.

Officers used forensic evidence to tie the suspects to the scene. There was a fingerprint found inside the taxi which was also linked to a facemask that was found inside the police cordon.

DNA was found inside the mask which matched that of one of the 17-year-olds and placed him at the scene.

Evidence showed Subaran and the group either called taxi companies, or tried to do so, and these calls were shortly before the group left in the taxis to travel to the murder location.

On 12 September 2020, Subaran and one of the youths were arrested on suspicion of murder at their respective home addresses.

The second 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder on October 6 last year.

He had been stopped in the street outside his home and was found in possession of a lock knife.

Anthony Adekola was full of love, say friends. Picture: GoFundMe (Image: Archant)

Shortly after Anthony's death his friend Mollie Mackrill paid tribute saying he would be at work most evenings “pranking” colleagues and would help customers by bringing their shopping to their car.

“Anthony was a big part of everyone’s life whether it was at home in the community or even at work,” she said. "His heart was full of love and he made an impact on everyone he met.”

Det Ch Insp Neil John said: "This group drove to Colindale together to commit a senseless act of violence. Their actions ended the life of a young man, and devastated a family.

"In addition, they will now spend the best years of their lives behind bars. While there are no winners in this case, there is nothing but loss, I don't doubt that the streets are safer now that these three have been jailed.

"Anthony was innocent. He was an unarmed, unsuspecting victim of a targeted horrific attack.

"The murderer’s intention to kill Anthony was clearly demonstrated by the frenzied nature of the injuries and the variety of weapons used in the attack.

"My thoughts today are with Anthony's family, I hope that the knowledge that three killers have been removed from society will bring them a small measure of closure and comfort."