Teen jailed for stabbing 'school rival' to death on London bus

A teenager has been jailed for life for stabbing a former school rival to death on a bus in London.

Derek Boateng, from Hackney, was stabbed in Highbury, North London, on 23 April while on his way home. He was taken by air ambulance to Royal London Hospital but died the following day, on his 16th birthday.

Shawn Green, 16, from Romford, Essex, has now been jailed for the crime and has been told he must serve a minimum of 12 years, reports the BBC.

Mr Green admitted to stabbing the victim, but denied murder, claiming self defence.

The court heard how he boarded the bus in Islington at around 3pm, making his way straight to the back where Boateng was sitting. The two rowed before Green stabbed Boateng in the chest with a kitchen knife.

Tom Kark QC, prosecuting, said there appeared to have been a prior dispute between the boys. According to the Guardian, he said: "Whatever had gone on before, we say this was a senseless act of violence.

"It resulted in the tragic and untimely death of a young boy. The sad fact is that both the defendant and the victim, Derek Boateng, were carrying knives and both produced them. But the prosecution suggest that it's clear who was the aggressor in this incident, and that was the defendant."

Det Chief Insp Chris Jones told the BBC: "This dreadful tragedy has left a family grieving for a much-loved son, brother and friend who had everything to live for.

"The incident has also wrecked another teenager's life and Derek's 16-year-old attacker will now spend many years behind bars.

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