Man convicted after teenager stabbed to death in east London street fight

 
Stabbed to death: Isschan Nicholls
Handout/Metropolitan Police
Sebastian Mann1 June 2015
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A 25-year-old man has been convicted over the brutal killing of a London teenager more than five years ago.

Isschan Nicholls, 18, from Poplar, was stabbed in the street during a fight involving some 15 people on the evening of January 13, 2010.

Today Simeon Hunter, 25, of Tower Hamlets, was found guilty of manslaughter following a five week trial at the Old Bailey, Scotland Yard said.

The force said he had been linked to the fight, which involved a number of "improvised weapons", because of traces of Isschan's blood found on his trousers.

His conviction comes at the end of a lengthy investigation which saw police offer a £20,000 reward as Isschan's family made a series of desperate appeals for closure.

Detective Inspector John Venn, from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "This was a challenging and complicated investigation. A large number of people were involved in the fight which took place when Isschan was fatally stabbed.

"Between 2010 and 2011 alone, 17 people - two women and 15 men - were arrested during the course of the enquiry."

"I hope today's verdict serves as a reminder that the Homicide and Major Crime Command will relentlessly pursue those involved in these crimes and bring them before the courts to face justice."

The court heard police were called to reports of a large fight on Parnell Road at around 9.20pm on January 13.

On arrival at the scene, police found Isschan and another male teenager nearby suffering from stab wounds.

Isschan died in hospital from stab wounds to his abdomen and thigh two days later.

The second victim, 17, was treated and discharged.

Another man, Mully Tambwe, 23, of Romford, was also charged in connection with the attack. Today he was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter.

Proceedings against Joel Ofori, 23, of Tower Hamlets, who was also charged with murder, were discontinued at an earlier date.

Hunter will be sentenced on Thursday, 4 June at the Old Bailey, Scotland Yard said.

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