17 years for canal killer Kevin Kelenda

A teenager described as a ‘habitual knife carrier’ has been jailed for 17 years for stabbing a man to death.

Kevin Kelenda was 16 when he plunged a lock knife into Tyrone Pinnock’s chest on a bridge over the Grand Union Canal in North Kensington on 19 October 2023.

The killer, who was wearing a knitted beanie hat and a surgical face mask when he stabbed Mr Pinnock, 36, asked: ‘What murder?’ when he was arrested.

Kelenda, who turned 18 in February, had five convictions for offences including four for possessing knives and one for robbery between January and June 2023.

Earlier Valeria Swift, prosecuting, said: ‘He is a habitual knife carrier who does not seem to have been deterred by the court orders imposed upon him so far.

‘He was a looked after child within the borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

‘He was held in secure accommodation as a result of a family court order, released from a secure centre on 3 October shortly before this incident.

‘He is believed by police to be affiliated to a gang.’

Mr Pinnock was found by passers-by after he collapsed with a stab to the chest.

‘He was able to give his name and say he had been stabbed before falling unconscious.

‘An ambulance called and at 7.20pm when the ambulance arrived life was pronounced extinct.’

‘A police officer identified the suspect as Kevin Kelenda having previously dealt with him.

‘CCTV evidence shows movements from his house to the scene of the murder movements at the scene and leaving and returning home.

’On 25 October he was arrested and made no reply in interview but later asked ‘what murder’.

Kalenda, of Kenton Park Crescent, Harrow, denied was convicted of murder at Wood Green Crown Court and jailed for life with a minimum of 17 years.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, who led the Met’s investigation, said: ‘Tyrone was killed in a brutal cold-blooded assault which lasted seconds, but was so severe he died at the scene.

‘Our thoughts remain as always with Tyrone’s friends and family as they move forward with their lives, safe in the knowledge that Kelenda is behind bars where he belongs.’