A seven-strong gang hunted down and killed a teena

A seven-strong gang hunted down and killed a teenager on Christmas Day in revenge for his victory in a duel against their alleged ringleader, a court heard.

Victim Pervinder Ryatt, 19, was chased by a baying mob who had spotted him after a night out in Leicester Square.

The student was repeatedly stabbed and battered with metal bars and bottles by the thugs.

Nineteen-year-old Akhtar Hussain had been accused of leading the gang.

But earlier this month Hussain was sensationally cleared of the murder by a jury, leaving five of his friends to face sentence today.

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Hussain, of Woolsey Avenue, Walthamstow, denied the charge but he did not given evidence in his trial.

Prosecutor Andrew Radcliffe QC told the court there had been a long-standing feud between the victim and Hussain.

And despite Hussain’s acquittal Mr Radcliffe detailed how he led the attack and stabbed Pervinder in the back.

He explained that Pervinder had broken Akhtar’s jaw in a fistfight during the summer of 1999.

‘It was a revenge killing.

There was a history of trouble between Pervinder Ryatt and Akhtar Hussain.

‘

Akhtar, together with cousin Safdar Hussain, 21, and five friends spotted Pervinder Rayatt as he walked with a group of pals in Leicester Square.

CCTV footage had revealed the gang following the victim as he walked towards St.

James’s Square.

As he turned into Charles II Street Pervinder was charged by Akhtar who was heard to say:

‘Remember me, Walthamstow boys, and stabbed Pervinder in the back.

There had been no forewarning of the attack,’ said the QC.

‘Pervinder ran off but was followed by Akhtar into Duke of York Street.

The other defendants ran in the same direction.

‘Some were armed.

The weapons included a stick, a bottle and a metal cosh.

‘

Safdar Hussain, who wielded a metal bar during the attack, followed the bleeding victim with the rest of the group.

The gang were so intent on getting Pervinder that they ignored his friends who had run after the victim.

‘Pervinder was targeted for violence that morning,’ continued Mr Radcliffe.

‘CCTV cameras outside (8) St.

James’s Square show Pervinder running followed by the man who had stabbed him.

‘As two of Pervinder’s friends got to Duke of York Street Pervinder could be seen on the ground.

He appeared to be held down.

‘Akhtar was making repeated hand movements
towards him.

It was clear that Pervinder was being stabbed repeatedly.

‘One man was smacking him with a stick.

Police recovered a stick nearby.

‘Another male was seen striking him at leats four times with a metal cosh.

Without doubt it was Safdar Hussain who was carrying the metal cosh.

‘After the attack, the group left the area, past Pervinder’s friends but they did not attack or threaten them.

‘

Police and ambulance services were called immediately but the teenager had suffered 10 stab wounds and went into immediate cardiac arrest, dying just before 6am on Christmas Day.

Detectives searched the area and found a bottle covered in blood that matched Pervinder’s when the DNA was analysed.

Akhtar Hussain, stood trial alone accused of the horrifying murder last Christmas.

His cousin Safdar told police in interview Akhtar had asked them to hold Ryatt down so he could scar him.

CCTV evidence from St James’ Square showed Akhtar pursuing Pervinder Ryatt along the street.

But before Akhtar’s acquittal by a jury, five other members of the gang pleaded guilty to various offences.

Safdar Hussain, 21, of Watt Avenue, Walthamstow, admitted murder.

Brothers Feroz, 18, and Shahbaz Khan, 20, both of Tyndale Road, Leyton, admitted affray.

Tariq Bokhari, 22, of Blakehall Road, Wanstead, and Surfraz Ghaffar, 20, of Blythwood, Seven Kings, Ilford, both pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The seventh member of the group was not charged due to insufficient evidence.

Judge Michael Coombe will sentence the five defendants later today.

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ends

xmas.