Damarie Roye
(Picture: Handout)A man has been jailed for life after stabbing a teenager to death following a row over an ex-girlfriend.
Damarie Roye was attacked as he cycled along Bensham Manor Road, in Thornton Heath, on July 9 2021.
Byron Whyne, 20, from Croydon, was arrested days after the attack and later charged with murder.
He was found guilty of murder following a trial at Croydon Crown Court and was on Thursday sentenced to life with a minimum term of 28 years.
The court heard that Whyne became jealous after Damarie struck up a friendship with his ex-girlfriend.
He then developed a grudge and began making threats, including with a knife.
He was caught on camera on the back of a moped circling Damarie with a knife in his hand before launching the fatal attack.
Damarie ran from the moped, which was making sudden turns to chase him even after he was stabbed, and managed to climb into a passing van with the help of those inside.
It was there they discovered he had a significant chest injury. He was rushed to hospital but later died.
Sentencing Whyne, Judge Gower QC commended the work of Detective Constable Marie Harrild who played a key role in gathering, analysing and presenting the CCTV evidence that formed a vital part of the prosecution’s case.
He also praised the efforts of two members of the public who provided help to Damarie as he desperately fled following the attack, including driving him to hospital in an effort to get him the medical attention he needed.
Detective Jo Sidaway, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Byron Whyne murdered Damarie in broad daylight. He was motivated only by jealousy and the community is safer knowing he will be off the streets for decades to come.
“Our thoughts throughout this investigation have been with Damarie’s loved ones who have suffered such an unimaginably sad loss.”
A 25-year-old man who was also charged with murder was found not guilty at trial.
