Thornton Heath stabbing: Man jailed for life after murder of teen

Damarie Roye, 16, was stabbed in broad daylight as he was cycling along Bensham Manor Road on July 9, 2021.

Byron Whyne, 20, of Grenaby Road in Croydon, was then arrested days after the attack.

Vicitm: Damarie Roye | Picture: Met Police

He was found guilty of murder on April 14 following a trial at Croydon Crown Court.

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Whyne appeared at the same court on April 28 where he was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 28 years.

Damarie was friends with a girl who Whyne had been in a relationship with, the court heard.

Whyne, who was motivated by jealousy, could not accept the situation and formed a grudge.

Whyne was controlling after the relationship ended and made threats, including with a knife in July 2021.

Officers say he then carried out those threats in a brutal attack.

Sentencing Whyne, His Honour Judge Gower QC commended the work of Detective Constable Marie Harrild.

Harrild played a key role in gathering, analysing, and presenting the CCTV evidence that formed a vital part of the prosecution’s case.

The judge also praised the efforts of two members of the public who provided help to Damarie as he fled following the attack.

This includes driving Damarie to the hospital to get him the medical attention needed.

Detective Chief Inspector Jo Sidaway, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said:

“Byron Whyne murdered Damarie in broad daylight.

“He was motivated only by jealousy and the community is safer knowing he will be off the streets for decades to come.

“I too would like to add my thanks to DC Harrild and the whole investigative team.

“The picture they were able to build of the events on that day left the jury in no doubt about Whyne’s guilt.

“I would also like to acknowledge the selfless actions of the two members of the public who came to Damarie’s aid.

“They showed compassion and calmness in the most distressing of circumstances.

“Our thoughts throughout this investigation have been with Damarie’s loved ones who have suffered such an unimaginably sad loss.”

A 25-year-old man who was also charged with murder was found not guilty at trial.

A spokesperson for Met Police said: “Damarie Roye was attacked as he cycled along Bensham Manor Road on the afternoon of 9 July 2021.

“Byron Whyne, 20 (17.10.01) of Grenaby Road, Croydon was arrested in the days after the attack and was later charged with 16-year-old Damarie’s murder.

“He was found guilty of murder on Thursday, 14 April following a trial at Croydon Crown Court.

“He appeared at the same court on Thursday, 28 April where he was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 28 years.

“The court heard that Whyne was a man motivated by jealousy. Damarie was friends with a girl with whom Whyne had been in a relationship.

“Whyne could not accept the situation and formed a grudge. He was controlling even after the relationship had ended and made threats, including with a knife.

“Ultimately, in July last year, he carried out those threats in a brutal attack.

“Sentencing Whyne, His Honour Judge Gower QC commended the work of Detective Constable Marie Harrild who played a key role in gathering, analysing and presenting the CCTV evidence that formed a vital part of the prosecution’s case.

“He also praised the efforts of two members of the public who provided help to Damarie as he desperately fled following the attack, including driving him to hospital in an effort to get him the medical attention he needed.

“A 25-year-old man who was also charged with murder was found not guilty at trial.”

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