A TEENAGE boy who accidentally killed his friend while fending off a yob has been caged for six years under new tough knife crime laws.
Michael Ematuwo, 14, was attempting to ward off a bully by waving around a flick-knife when he cut his pal Jahmal Mason-Blair's throat.

Promising footballer Jahmal had been trying to stop the fight when Ematuwo pulled the knife.

The tragic 17-year-old, who had trials with Tottenham Hotspur, Watford and Reading, bled to death after the blade cut an artery in the stricken teen's neck.


Talented

Ematuwo, of Hackney, East London, pleaded guilty to manslaughter last month.

Judge Paul Worsley today sentenced him at the Old Bailey saying new guidelines from the Lord Chief Justice came into force today and meant all jail terms had to be a deterrent.

He said: "It was the carrying of a knife which led to the death of Jahmal.

"You have destroyed the life of his family. Jahmal was the bright star in the lives of his family.

"He was a decent, popular boy and a talented footballer. He was a boy who met his death trying to stop violence, not causing it."

The court was told the Nigeria born defendant had been sent to live with an aunt by his preacher father and was befriended by Jahmal.

Richard Whittam QC, prosecuting, said Ematuwo had had his bicycle taken by an older boy on May 23 this year in Hackney.

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He had gone with Jahmal, who played for Borehamwood football club, to collect it but was attacked with a stick.

He took out the flick knife and was waving it around to frighten the other youth.

Mr Whittam said: "Tragically, Jahmal Mason-Blair, the young man who had been trying to stop the fight, was struck with the knife.

"It appears he had his back to the boy when he swung with his arm and the knife struck.

Baroness Mallalieu QC, defending, claimed the offence had been motivated by fear.

She said: This is a young man who has lost a friend.


(in the photo is Jahmal Mason-Blair was stabbed as he tried to stop an argument )




-- Edited by littlemisslinkz on Monday 30th of November 2009 05:05:29 PM