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Teenager fatally stabbed with 'Zombie Killer' knife in gang attack, court told Teenager fatally stabbed with 'Zombie Killer' knife in gang attack, court told
(35 minutes later)
A teenager was killed with a large “Zombie Killer” knife as young children played in a park nearby, a court heard.A teenager was killed with a large “Zombie Killer” knife as young children played in a park nearby, a court heard.
Stefan Appleton, 17, was targeted by two youths on a stolen moped in the early evening of 10 June last year. Moments earlier he had been playing a “pound up” game outside Nightingale park in Islington, north London, where children were enjoying the summer evening on swings and slides.Stefan Appleton, 17, was targeted by two youths on a stolen moped in the early evening of 10 June last year. Moments earlier he had been playing a “pound up” game outside Nightingale park in Islington, north London, where children were enjoying the summer evening on swings and slides.
Just before 6pm the alleged killers pulled up, one wearing a helmet and another with his head hidden beneath a hood and balaclava, the Old Bailey heard.Just before 6pm the alleged killers pulled up, one wearing a helmet and another with his head hidden beneath a hood and balaclava, the Old Bailey heard.
Simon Denison QC, prosecuting told jurors they had a “fearsome weapon” known as a Zombie Killer knife in a sheath. The pillion passenger jumped off, pulled out the machete-like knife and ran at Stefan and his friends. Simon Denison QC, prosecuting, told jurors they had a “fearsome weapon” known as a Zombie Killer knife in a sheath. The pillion passenger jumped off, pulled out the machete-like knife and ran at Stefan and his friends.
As the victim fled he tripped over a low fence and his attacker stabbed him repeatedly as he lay “helpless” on the ground. Stefan suffered a cut to his right shin as he kicked out and a stab wound to the chest, through his lung and heart.As the victim fled he tripped over a low fence and his attacker stabbed him repeatedly as he lay “helpless” on the ground. Stefan suffered a cut to his right shin as he kicked out and a stab wound to the chest, through his lung and heart.
Despite being mortally wounded, he got up and ran away from the youth who chased after him before turning back. As the youths rode off on the moped, the passenger shouted out “RP”, standing for Red Pitch, a rival to another gang in the Nightingale park area, the court heard.Despite being mortally wounded, he got up and ran away from the youth who chased after him before turning back. As the youths rode off on the moped, the passenger shouted out “RP”, standing for Red Pitch, a rival to another gang in the Nightingale park area, the court heard.
Stefan collapsed and friends and neighbours went to his aid but he died in hospital soon afterwards.Stefan collapsed and friends and neighbours went to his aid but he died in hospital soon afterwards.
Denison said: “He was formally pronounced dead at 7.45pm, an hour and three-quarters after he had been playing ‘pound up’ with his friends on the edge of the park. Another tragic waste of a young life in this city taken by a knife.Denison said: “He was formally pronounced dead at 7.45pm, an hour and three-quarters after he had been playing ‘pound up’ with his friends on the edge of the park. Another tragic waste of a young life in this city taken by a knife.
“But this was not the sort of small kitchen knife that is so often so foolishly carried by young people and then used in a moment of madness. This was a weapon with no legitimate purpose. It is called a Zombie Killer, which sounds as if it should be a toy, but is anything but.“But this was not the sort of small kitchen knife that is so often so foolishly carried by young people and then used in a moment of madness. This was a weapon with no legitimate purpose. It is called a Zombie Killer, which sounds as if it should be a toy, but is anything but.
“It is a very big knife, like a machete, and in the wrong hands it was a deadly weapon. That is the type of knife that was used to kill Stefan Appleton.”“It is a very big knife, like a machete, and in the wrong hands it was a deadly weapon. That is the type of knife that was used to kill Stefan Appleton.”
After the killing, the youths allegedly destroyed evidence, arranging for the moped to be burned. They fled to Bristol and tried to arrange a flight to Malaga in Spain before lying low back in London, the court heard.After the killing, the youths allegedly destroyed evidence, arranging for the moped to be burned. They fled to Bristol and tried to arrange a flight to Malaga in Spain before lying low back in London, the court heard.
Within days they were arrested at addresses where they hoped they would not be found, jurors were told. They refused to answer police questions.Within days they were arrested at addresses where they hoped they would not be found, jurors were told. They refused to answer police questions.
Two 17-year-old boys who were allegedly on the moped are on trial accused of murder. They also face a second charge of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent along with a third youth, aged 16. None can be named.Two 17-year-old boys who were allegedly on the moped are on trial accused of murder. They also face a second charge of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent along with a third youth, aged 16. None can be named.
The court heard that the younger boy had been stabbed two months earlier. Denison told jurors that this knife attack near to where Stefan was killed was “very much connected”.The court heard that the younger boy had been stabbed two months earlier. Denison told jurors that this knife attack near to where Stefan was killed was “very much connected”.
All three defendants deny the charges against them. The trial continues.All three defendants deny the charges against them. The trial continues.