A teenage boy will serve at least 17 years of a life sentence after being found guilty of murdering Jamil Palmer today.

Your Local Guardian:

Mohammed Barre, who can be named for the first time, cannot be considered for parole for 17 years after an Old Bailey jury convicted him of fatally stabbing the 18-year-old on May 6.

Four other teenagers, also on trial for murdering the former Richmond College and Kingston College student, were found not guilty.

The 17-year-old, with whom Mr Palmer, of Belgrade Road, Hampton, had a long-running feud, inflicted the fatal blow to the chest during a “pre-arranged fight” in broad daylight at Crane Park, the court heard.

Passing sentence, Judge Richard Hone QC described Barre as a “troubled and turbulent young man”.

He said: “By your actions you have, in effect, passed a life sentence on to all members of the victim’s family.

“The pain and devastation caused to innocent people is beyond description.”

He said the law required him to take a starting point of 12 years imprisonment, which would have been 25 years had been aged 18 or above.

He reflected on how an earlier fight that day between Barre, of Byron Avenue, Hounslow, and Mr Palmer in Browells Lane, Feltham, contributed to the murder.

He said: “It was quite apparent to me in evidence that the fatal events of May 6 were led by you and you wanted to show your associates and those of Jamil Palmer that you were a force to be reckoned with.

“In those primeval few seconds of fury and anger, there was no real difference between the intention to seriously injure and the intention to kill.

“I do find a serious degree of pre-meditation between Browells Lane and Crane Park.”

The teenager was found guilty of possessing a blade while on bail in July 2012, as well as previous convictions including theft and robbery, the court heard.

Barre showed no emotion throughout the sentencing.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Palmer sustained stab wounds to his arm and chest and a fatal wound which penetrated his heart. 

A knife with a folding blade, about 9cm in length, was found with Mr Palmer's DNA on the cutting edge in a stream close to the murder scene.

Mr Palmer’s mother Ash Sayani sobbed as Judge Hone handed down the sentence and described her family’s anguish over witnesses who failed to help police.

She said: “It has become apparent that there were many people present when Jamil was murdered.

“A lot of these individuals were Jamil's friends.

“Only one or two individuals remained to try and help Jamil as he lay dying.

“We have been further distressed, if that were possible, at the blanket refusal of virtually all individuals who witnessed what happened to come forward and tell the police.

“They hide behind what appears to be some sort of misguided loyalty, in some cases, to the very people they consider their enemies.”

She added her family would focus on the “happy, friendly, funny boy” they have lost.

She said: “Whilst we are devastated by the loss of Jamil we, as a family, will not focus on what they have done or the pain they have caused.

“We will instead concentrate on the wonderful person that Jamil was and remind ourselves of his smile, the happy times.

“He was loved by many and is sorely missed.”

Kishon Zelaya, 18, from Reading, a 15-year-old boy and two 16-year-old boys were found not guilty of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command team in Putney, said: “What started as a petty squabble between two teenagers ended with Jamil paying the ultimate price of losing his life.

“Jamil never stood a chance against his attacker who was armed with a knife.

“Anyone who carries a knife should be the aware of the potentially fatal consequences of their actions.” 

The trial lasted almost six weeks and the jury, made up of seven men and five women, reached its verdict in less than 24 hours.

Our trial coverage

Witness tells Old Bailey about Richmond College and Kingston College student Jamil Palmer's fight hours before his death

Jamil Palmer stabbed to death after "long-running feud" with defendant accused of murder

Knife found at Jamil Palmer murder scene "similar" to set in friend's home

Police van recordings reveal "violent intent" of Jamil Palmer accused

Boy, 15, describes fight in which Kingston and Richmond College student Jamil Palmer was fatally stabbed

Humiliating snapchat video shown to murder accused before fatal stabbing of Jamil Palmer, Old Bailey hears

Accused says he stayed with victim after stabbing

Teenage defendant did not plan "murderous attack" on Jamil Palmer, Old Bailey hears

Jury retires in Jamil Palmer murder trial

Murder investigation

Former Teddington School, Richmond College and Kingston College student dies after stabbing near Crane Park

Best friend scared of more stabbings as he pays tribute to teen killed near Crane Park

£15,000 reward for information in Jamil Palmer case

Mother of stabbed teenager Jamil Palmer, from Hampton, makes plea for witnesses

Police look to break silence over Jamil Palmer murder