Life sentence for teenage killer

A killer who stabbed a teenager to death in front of his family is facing a life sentence.

Romello Harley, 19, knifed Tashawn Watt in the chest in Miall Walk, Sydenham, southeast London, on 25 June last year.

Police officers were called just after 9:30pm that day and found Tashawn. also 19, collapsed on the street.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, Tashawn died at the scene from the wound to his chest.

Officers established that Harley had been arguing with one of Tashawn’s relatives at the Watt family home a short time before the incident.

Asked to leave, Harley returned to the area with a knife and tried to lure Tashawn into an alleyway, but the teenager refused to go with him.

Harley then stabbed him in front of his family.

Afterwards, he dropped the knife and fled the scene.

There were several witnesses to the attack and it was also caught on CCTV.

The defendant went into hiding, prompting an urgent police manhunt.

On 28 June, Harley handed himself in at Lewisham Police Station and was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Harley denied but was convicted of murder by a jury at Inner London Crown Court.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood said: ‘My thoughts remain with Tashawn’s family as they continue to come to terms with the loss of their loved one in such awful and needless circumstances.

‘I am pleased that as a result of our investigation we have delivered justice for them by ensuring the person responsible for Tashawn’s killing will spend a considerable time behind bars.’

Harley, of Kirkdale, Sydenham, denied but was convicted of murder.

He will be sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on a date yet to be set.