Christian Kuta-Dankwa
(Picture: Met Police)A 19-year-old has been found guilty of murder after he chased down and killed a rival using the victim’s own knife.
Christian Kuta-Dankwa, of Rayners Lane, Harrow, was on Thursday convicted of murdering Mohamoud Mohamed Mahdi following a trial at the Old Bailey.
Kuta-Dankwa claimed he was acting in self-defence when he fatally stabbed Mahdi, 28, in the back using a knife the victim brought to the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who led the investigation, said: “CCTV clearly showed that Mohamoud was leaving the scene before being chased and fatally stabbed.
“This tragic incident highlights the dangers of carrying knives. We know that those who carry these weapons are more likely to be victim to such violent attacks and that is why tackling violent crime of this kind continues to be the Met’s top priority.”
Kuta-Dankwa and his friends arrived in Watling Avenue, Edgware, around 4pm on Friday, February 18.
CCTV showed Mahdi then arriving on the opposite side of the road before walking across and briefly speaking to the defendant.
He left and ran down nearby streets before returning with a knife – a weapon that would later be used to kill him.
Following an altercation with Kuta-Dankwa, Mahdi was disarmed and the knife fell into the road, causing him to run away.
Kuta-Dankwa picked up the weapon and chased after Mahdi, tackling him to the ground before stabbing him three times in the back and running away.
Emergency services, including an off-duty police officer and doctor, immediately began first aid but despite their efforts Mahdi died at the scene.
Kuta-Dankwa admitted in court that his friend had been dealing cannabis just before Mahdi approached them. This was likely the cause of the argument.
The knife used in the murder was later found on the bed of a stream inside Watling Park, while the sheath was found at the scene of the stabbing.
The following day, Kuta-Dankwa handed himself into police where he admitted stabbing Mahdi but said he had acted in self-defence.
He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, December 2. A 17-year-old boy was found not guilty of murder at the same trial.
