A teenage mugger who ‘accidentally’ stabbed a man

A teenage mugger who ‘accidentally’ stabbed a man to death
while trying to break up a fight has been sent to a young
offenders’ institution.

Udeme Eka, 17, plunged the knife into Ian Walker’s chest in
a single fatal blow during the struggle between two workmates
on November 15 last year.

Eka, who was on bail for an attempted knifepoint robbery of
a defenceless commuter at the time, denied murdering Mr Walker,
24, but admitted manslaughter.

Judge Henry Pownall QC told him his decision to carry a knife
made it just a matter of time before he was responsible for
‘something dreadful.

‘
He was sentenced to five and a half years youth detention for
the ‘appalling’ killing and the robbery bid.

The Old Bailey was told Eka and his friend Woli Solarin, 18,
were walking along McDermott Road, Peckham, when Mr Walker came
up and asked Mr Solarin for drugs.

The two men, who had both worked together for a Peckham
picture framing business, went into a side alley to complete the
deal while Eka waited nearby.

But seconds later, the pair began scuffling and Eka rused to
his friend’s aid.

During the struggle, the knife he habitually carried in his
waistband fell out.

He picked it up and lashed out at Mr Walker.

Although the single stab wound was inflicted with ‘moderate
force’ it caused a fatal injury and Mr Walker, from Lewis House,
Elephant and Castle, died on the spot, the court heard.

Eka, of the Friary Estate, Peckham, was arrested and accused
of murder.

He initially told lies but later tearfully confessed
to how the killing was a ‘tragic accident’.

Eka had written a letter to the family of Mr Walker to
apologise for the killing, said Mr Rock Tansey, QC, defending.

At the last hearing, Mr Walker’s mother had wept in the public
gallery as her son’s killer was granted bail.

Eka also admitted attempted robbery for a knifepoint attack
on a commuter near Tower Hill station.

The robbery was only
thwarted after a brave passer-by intervened.

Judge Henry Pownall QC told the defendant that both the
killing and the attempted robbery were ‘appalling.

‘
‘Your record is not very good and it was perhaps just a
matter of time before something dreadful happened and that has
now happened.

‘I accept that the awful death was a something of a tragic
accident but of course it would never have happened had you not
been carrying that knife.

‘
Eka hung his head as he was sentenced to four years youth
detention for manslaughter and a further 18 months detention for
the attempted robbery, making five and a half years in all.

ENDS