Two teenagers sentenced for fatal stabbing of 17-year-old outside Old Kent Road McDonald's

Christhofer Vasquez and Andres Tapia Londono, both 18, were jailed for four years each for the manslaughter of Yeray Sanchez Morales in Southwark.

Two jailed for manslaughter after 17-year-old stabbed nine times outside Southwark McDonald's

Two 18-year-olds have been sentenced to four years in custody each for the manslaughter of Yeray Sanchez Morales, who was fatally stabbed outside a McDonald's on Old Kent Road, Southwark, standard.co.uk reports.

Yeray, 17, sustained nine stab wounds to his neck and chest during the attack, which took place shortly before 11pm on 27 August last year. He died in hospital a week later. He had been sitting outside the restaurant with a friend when the violence broke out in front of a crowd of young people; he was also struck with a bottle during the assault. His friend survived and subsequently told police they had no idea why they had been targeted.

Christhofer Jesus Vasquez, from Enfield, was convicted of manslaughter and also received a concurrent one-year sentence for a previously admitted possession of a bladed article. Andres Tapia Londono, from Haringey, was likewise convicted of manslaughter. Both received four-year custodial sentences.

The wider investigation resulted in convictions for four men and three boys across a range of offences linked to the killing. Isaac Ros Ramirez, 18, of Hackney, and Juan Betancourt Hoyos, 21, of Haringey, were convicted of violent disorder and handed community orders.

Three 16-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were also convicted. One received a 16-month custodial sentence for violent disorder; another was given a 12-month youth rehabilitation order for the same offence. A third, who had previously admitted violent disorder, intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and possession of a bladed article in connection with a second victim, received a community order.

Detectives said convictions were secured in part because suspects posted photographs of bloodied hands and knives on social media. Officers used those images alongside CCTV footage, mobile phone evidence, voice notes, and distinctive clothing visible in footage from the night to establish each individual's role in the incident.

In a statement released through the Metropolitan Police, Yeray's mother, Elena Morales, described her son as "a sensitive, happy, polite and generous young man" who "had a special way of connecting with others and a kindness that shone through everything he did." She added: "As a mother, I have no words to describe the pain that crushes my soul." Yeray had harboured ambitions of becoming a PE teacher.

Detective Sergeant Debbie Barge, who led the investigation, said: "Detectives worked quickly to track down the suspects, proving their roles in and surrounding Yeray's death. Our thoughts remain with his family and hope these convictions can bring them some degree of peace."

Source: Sky News