A man from South Norwood and three others have been sentenced to life imprisonment after the murder of a 16-year-old boy in Havering.
Emergency services were called to a fight between an armed group of men outside a shop in Church Road just after 6.40pm on May 7, 2021.
Daniel Laskos was found with serious knife wounds to his neck and members of the public were administering first aid before the arrival of paramedics.
Despite the efforts of the public and emergency services, Daniel was pronounced dead at the scene.
A murder investigation was then launched which led to the arrest of four men.
The four then appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday, April 7, where they were all sentenced to life imprisonment and given minimum terms.
Joshua Kerr, 19, of Birchanger Road in South Norwood, will serve a minimum of 24 years.
Callum Hands, 20, of Vincent Road in Dagenham, will serve a minimum of 22 years.
Rakeem Green-Matthews, 19, of Gulderose Road in Romford, will serve a minimum of 21 years.
A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will serve a minimum of 14 years.
They had previously appeared for trial at the Old Bailey on April, 1, where they were convicted of murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This entire incident was captured on CCTV that my team has studied at length.
"The footage clearly showed Daniel Laskos standing on the pavement with a friend on Church Road when the suspects approached them. Pulling knives and a baton from their clothing they charged them.
“Daniel and his friend instinctively tried to back away, but were caught and stabbed in a targeted, frenzied attack.
“We still don’t know what the circumstances were that motivated this murder.
“What we do know is that a family is changed forever and continues to struggle to come to terms with their loss.
“Our thoughts are with them today.
“We also know that four young men will forfeit their futures as a result."
DCI Whellams, added: “As homicide detectives we see the effects of extreme violence as part of our daily professional lives, and the speed with which often minor disputes can escalate into extreme violence goes far beyond our comprehension.
“It is vital that the community, educators and police work together to stop this mindless and wholly needless loss of our young men’s lives.
“If you know someone who carries weapons or is involved in violent crime please do the right thing and tell police what you know – your actions could save a life.”
You provide information to the police by dialling 101 or online or by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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