A teenager who stabbed to death a 36-year-old man in “a brutal cold-blooded assault” lasting just seconds has been jailed for life.
Kevin Kelenda was just 16 when he murdered Tyrone Pinnock for no apparent reason in Kensal Road, North Kensington.
A passer-by found Mr Pinnock with stab injuries and flagged down a police car around 6.40pm on October 19, 2023.
Officers carried out first aid and called for support from paramedics but the victim died at the scene.
Through forensic examination and analysis of CCTV, detectives quickly identified Kelenda, of Kenton Park Crescent, Harrow, as the suspect.
The court heard he was seen standing on Kensal Rise before following Mr Pinnock and confronting him.
Kelenda produced a lock knife and stabbed the older man in the chest but it is still unclear what his motive was, the Metropolitan Police said.
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At Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, Kelenda - now 18 - was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 17 years for Mr Pinnock’s murder.
He was also given an 18-month detention and training order for possession of a pointed and bladed article.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, who led the Met's investigation, said: “Tyrone was killed in a brutal cold-blooded assault which lasted seconds, but was so severe he died at the scene.
“Our thoughts remain as always with Tyrone’s friends and family as they move forward with their lives, safe in the knowledge that Kelenda is behind bars where he belongs.”
