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Man jailed for teenager's murder | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A painter and decorator found guilty of stabbing to death an 18-year-old teenager on a night out in a Kent town has been jailed for life. | A painter and decorator found guilty of stabbing to death an 18-year-old teenager on a night out in a Kent town has been jailed for life. |
Peter Connolly, 31, of Peckham, south-east London, was told he would serve a minimum of 15 years for murdering Christopher Alaneme. | Peter Connolly, 31, of Peckham, south-east London, was told he would serve a minimum of 15 years for murdering Christopher Alaneme. |
He was also jailed for 10 years, to run concurrently, for wounding taxi driver Mark Davies in Sheerness in April 2006. | He was also jailed for 10 years, to run concurrently, for wounding taxi driver Mark Davies in Sheerness in April 2006. |
Agatha Alaneme described her son as a devout Christain and role model. | |
The weight of support we received from the local community is indicative of the shockwave this case created Supt Steve Corbishley | The weight of support we received from the local community is indicative of the shockwave this case created Supt Steve Corbishley |
Following the sentencing, she said: "My son Christopher was a wonderful son, brother, grandson and friend who touched the lives of everyone that he met. | |
"I would also like to add my distress at hearing that my son was a bad character which isn't true." | |
Maidstone Crown Court heard the stabbing followed an alleged racist remark. | |
But Judge Mr Justice Godring decided that Mr Alaneme was not the victim of a race attack. | |
The jury was told Mr Alaneme was left dying on a public bench after a knife penetrated his liver. | |
It followed an incident in which he was chased by a group of men after one of them was rebuked for making a racist comment about him. | It followed an incident in which he was chased by a group of men after one of them was rebuked for making a racist comment about him. |
The court heard Connolly had been taking drugs and drinking before going into the town centre with friends, already carrying the knife. | The court heard Connolly had been taking drugs and drinking before going into the town centre with friends, already carrying the knife. |
Stabbed five times | |
Mr Davies, who was out celebrating his birthday, was stabbed five times as he got up from a bench outside the Bar One pub to see what was going on. | Mr Davies, who was out celebrating his birthday, was stabbed five times as he got up from a bench outside the Bar One pub to see what was going on. |
He received severe injuries which have left him with medical problems he will face for the rest of his life. | He received severe injuries which have left him with medical problems he will face for the rest of his life. |
Mr Justice Godring told Connolly he "must have contemplated" using the weapon. | |
"From the beginning, you have not shown the slightest remorse," he said. | "From the beginning, you have not shown the slightest remorse," he said. |
CCTV captured Connolly just before he met Christopher Alaneme | CCTV captured Connolly just before he met Christopher Alaneme |
Bank worker Andrew Giblin, 28, of Bromyard House, Commercial Way, Peckham, and Terence Beaney, 25, a plasterer, of Rideout Street, Woolwich, were cleared of both charges on Monday. | Bank worker Andrew Giblin, 28, of Bromyard House, Commercial Way, Peckham, and Terence Beaney, 25, a plasterer, of Rideout Street, Woolwich, were cleared of both charges on Monday. |
Sean Duhig, 23, and Gerry Duhig, 27, both plasterers, of Melbury Drive, Camberwell, were cleared of murder part-way through the trial on the judge's direction. | Sean Duhig, 23, and Gerry Duhig, 27, both plasterers, of Melbury Drive, Camberwell, were cleared of murder part-way through the trial on the judge's direction. |
Following sentencing, police thanked the people of Sheerness, on the Isle of Sheppey. | Following sentencing, police thanked the people of Sheerness, on the Isle of Sheppey. |
"The weight of support we received from the local community is indicative of the shockwave this case created," said Supt Steve Corbishley. | "The weight of support we received from the local community is indicative of the shockwave this case created," said Supt Steve Corbishley. |
He said people were appalled by the callous nature of the stabbings. | He said people were appalled by the callous nature of the stabbings. |
"I would like to thank the community, who... have helped to bring about this successful conviction," he said. | "I would like to thank the community, who... have helped to bring about this successful conviction," he said. |