Sofyen Belamouadden murder - Old Bailey jurors retire to consider verdict

Published: 29 April 2011
by JOSH LOEB

JURORS at the Old Bailey are due to retire next week to consider verdicts in the trial of six youths alleged to have been among an “armed mob” who killed a schoolboy at Victoria station.

The six, who deny charges of murder, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm, and violent disorder, have been in the dock for nearly three months as details of the horrifying way in which Sofyen Belamouadden, 15, died were revealed by witnesses to the incident, on March 25 last year at rush hour.

Sofyen (pictured), from Acton, a pupil at Henry Compton School, Fulham, was caught in a trap and chased into the booking hall where he was punched, kicked and stabbed at least nine times, the jury heard. 

The promising footballer, who dreamed of turning out for a top club, was ambushed by up to 20 assailants who struck as part of a “mindless feud” between rival students it was said. Heavily armed, the mob turned up by bus at Victoria and much of the action that followed was caught on CCTV.

The attack on Sofyen had been arranged the previous day by calls on mobiles and messages on Facebook, the court heard.

Following his summing up, Judge Christopher Moss, QC, will send jurors away to discuss verdicts on six accused from South London.  

Samuel Roberts, 18, Obi Nwokeh, 18, Enoch Amoah, 18, and three 17-year-olds who cannot be identified on legal grounds, await decisions. All protest their innocence although they admit being at the station when the attack took place.

Several others said to have been involved are due to stand trial.