Knife killers told to ‘burn in hell’ as they get life

Two killers who celebrated at a recording studio hours after stabbing a man to death were told to ‘burn in hell’ as they were jailed for life.

Denilson Davis, 21, and a 16-year-old who cannot be named, knifed Joshua Boadu, 23, in the chest in Bermondsey, southeast London and sped away from the scene.

They were spotted chasing the victim’s bronze VW Golf in a stolen blue Peugeot driven by Davis on 11 June last year, before pulling over and forcing him into a blind spot nearby.

Mr Boadu, who had dreams of becoming an engineer, was pushed up against a parked car, surrounded by three men and stabbed.

He initially sought refuge in a nearby house on Lucey Way from where he was taken to King’s College Hospital by emergency services.

But after ten days on life support he was pronounced dead.

Davis and the teenage boy were convicted of murder last week following a trial.

As the pair were jailed today (MON) a friend of Mr Boadu screamed out from the public gallery of the Old Bailey: ‘I hope you go to hell and burn to ashes.’

But the nonchalant 16-year-old killer could be seen yawning and combing his hair as he appeared in court via videolink from HM Cookham Wood in Kent.

Judge Mark Lucfraft QC jailed the pair for life after the victim’s father, Frank Boadu, said in a statement: ‘Shock and devastation gripped our hearts and minds on the evening of 11 June 2018, the eve of our family holiday to Canada.

‘This would have been our first family holiday and the whole family had been building up great anticipation for this trip.

‘Joshua Samuel Boadu also known by friends and schoolmates by his initials “SJ” left the house after packing his things for the holiday the next day.

‘The entire family, friends and surrounding neighbourhood have been devastated since the passing of Josh.

‘He was a dedicated son, brother, uncle and cousin who was loved by all who knew him. His death has left a massive hole in our lives and he will continue to be greatly missed by all of us.

‘Words cannot begin to describe how life has been since Josh’s passing and he will be forever in our hearts.

‘Words cannot describe the heartache and emotional anguish this senseless killing has caused and the impact on the family has been astronomical.

‘Josh had his whole life ahead of him and he was full of so much untapped potential, but his life was cut short due to a vicious and senseless murder.’

Davis was arrested at his home on Innes Street, Southwark on 27 November. He initially denied any involvement but later admitted he was at the scene.

The 16-year-old refused to answer police questions when he was arrested on 13 February but later insisted he had nothing to do with the killing.

A third man, 19-year-old Matthew Adebiyi, is wanted by police in connection with the killing after he fled to Nigeria.

Earlier Jacob Hallam, QC, prosecuting, said the ‘terrible wounds’ were too much for Mr Boadu to survive and despite continued medical treatment at King’s College Hospital, he was declared brainstem dead on 18 June last year.

While Mr Boadu lay in his hospital bed the killers spent the night entertaining themselves a recording studio in Peckham Rye.

Jurors were shown videos filmed on Adebiyi’s phone between 11.30pm and midnight on the night of the murder of the pair brazenly ‘celebrating’.

‘Videos were found on Adebiyi’s mobile telephone which were recorded between 11.30 and midnight, capturing him and the youth together at a recording studio in the Peckham Rye area,’ said Mr Hallam.

‘Somebody was filming them, they were in a celebratory mood.’

Adebiyi fled to Nigeria and remains at large.

‘He has escaped, for a time being at least, being held to account for his actions that day.

‘No doubt his time will come,’ Mr Hallam added.

Davis, of Montgomery Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, and the 16-year-old both denied but were convicted of murder.

Davis was jailed for life and with a minimum of 21 years while the youth must serve a life sentence and a minimum of 15 years.
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