Luton teen sentenced after being found guilty of manslaughter
The jury delivered a verdict at Luton Crown Court today
Last updated 12th Dec 2022
A teenager from Luton has today been found guilty of manslaughter after he stabbed a Lancashire man to death.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted of killing Ghulam Raja, 63, following an argument at an address in Luton.
At the sentencing, the judge ruled the youth to a 12-month intensive supervision order, 91 days of 'specified activities', a curfew for three months between 7pm and 7am.
During the sentencing, the judge took into account the boy's time already spent in custody - at 390 days.
The case
During the altercation on 15 November 2021, the boy, who was 16 at the time, stabbed Mr Raja, from Bolton, four times in the head and leg.
He was taken to hospital for treatment, however succumbed to injuries sustained in the attack and died five days later.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident the boy posted a video of a wounded Mr Raja to his own Snapchat account, where he could be heard in the background shouting at the stricken victim.
One minute after uploading the video he then phoned police, explaining to the operator that there had been a murder, and stating ‘I am the offender’.
Officers arrived at the scene at 4.15pm, and the boy was taken into police custody.
An investigation was subsequently launched by the Bedfordshire Police Crime Investigation Department, before being passed to the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit.
The teenager, who knew the victim, was initially charged with attempted murder, although this was amended following Mr Raja’s death.
During the trial, the boy denied murdering Mr Raja, but did admit to causing injury to him by stabbing him, but stated he was defending himself and another person and that he had no intention to cause serious harm or kill him.
Following a three-week trial at Luton Crown Court, the boy was found guilty of manslaughter.
Detective Inspector Richard Stott, who led the investigation, said: “This is a tragic case which not only resulted in the sad death of the victim, but also means a young man will likely spend time behind bars.
“There is no excuse for a violent attack such as this, and this case highlights how severe the consequences can be for those who resort to using a knife to hurt someone, regardless of the circumstances.”