This shocking footage shows the terrifying moments before 16-year-old Rhamero West was stabbed to death in broad daylight. The video footage was released after three young men were jailed for life for murdering Rhamero in Old Trafford in September last year.
Rhamero was chased down by a 'pack of wolves' before he was fatally knifed on Norton Street. A senior detective said it was a 'miracle' that members of the public were not caught up in the terrifying incident.
The teenager had started a college course that day and was with friends when he was spotted by 17-year-old Marquis Richards. Richards got out of a stolen BMW on the Princess Parkway, and started attacking a stolen BMW which Rhamero was driving.
Rhamero then desperately tried to get away from his attackers. Following a high speed chase, Rhamero crashed his car into a tree and then tried to flee on foot.
He was being pursued by two stolen BMWs, and CCTV footage revealed how Richards got out of the car and started sprinting after Rhamero after the collision, while armed with a fearsome knife. The chase continued to Norton Street in Old Trafford, where Richards was closely followed by 19-year-old Ryan Cashin.
After Richards slowed up, Cashin caught up and then took the knife from him. Cashin continued to pursue Rhamero, stabbing him several times shortly after. "Arr got you," he said as he knifed Rhamero.
He desperately banged on the doors of nearby houses to summon help, but his injuries proved fatal. After a Manchester Crown Court trial, Richards and Cashin were both convicted of murder. Another man, 20-year-old Giovanni Lawrence, was also convicted of murder under the joint enterprise law.
He was the driver of one of the two stolen BMWs which had pursued Rhamero, a nephew of ex-Man City and England international Shaun Wright-Phillips. Sentencing earlier today, Mr Justice Kerr handed down life sentences.
Richards will serve at least 18 years at Her Majesty's pleasure, while Cashin and Lawrence were given life sentences and locked up for at least 24 and 21 years respectively. Prosecutors did not advance a motive for the brutal killing.
"Why did these individuals kill our baby boy, chase him down and take his life?," Rhamero's mum Kelly Brown told Manchester Crown Court. "We ask this question all the time."
After the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Liz Hopkinson, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: "Rhamero was only 16-years-old when he was violently, and needlessly, murdered in broad daylight by a group of teenagers. No parent should ever have to receive the news that their child has been killed and the perpetrators, refusing to admit responsibility, have only added to their suffering by forcing them to endure the pain of a trial.
"These three caused carnage across South Manchester in the lead up to Rhamero's death and it's a miracle that no members of the public were also injured as a result of their reckless driving and acts of violence. From the outset, my team have been committed to securing the best possible outcome for Rhamero and his family.
"Our investigation saw us speak with hundreds of witnesses and trawl through many more hours of CCTV footage as we pieced together the events of that afternoon. I'm pleased that we've been able to secure a combined sentence of more than 61 years' imprisonment and although sadly this result won't bring Rhamero back, I hope it provides his family with a sense of justice and closure."
Lisa Connor, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: "Rhamero West was just 16 years old when he lost his life in this shocking knife attack. The men who have been convicted of his murder pursued him relentlessly and gave him no chance to escape or defend himself.
"This was a complex case to prosecute, we used the phone location data, CCTV footage and forensic evidence to pinpoint where each person was at the specific points in time. This enabled us to put a strong case before the court and provide the jury with the evidence they needed to convict.
"Nothing can make up for the loss of Rhamero, I can only hope Rhamero’s family can find some comfort in knowing that those who carried out this attack, have been brought to justice."
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