Two teens jailed for murder of 16-year-old in Wolverhampton
Ronan Kanda was stabbed in a case of mistaken identity just yards from his home.
Last updated 13th Jul 2023
Two teenagers have been jailed for life for the murder of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda in Wolverhampton.
Ronan died in the street after being stabbed in a case of mistaken identity.
Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill, both 17, who carried out the brutal attack have been named for the first time today, after reporting restrictions were lifted by the judge.
Veadhesa was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison, and Shergill a minimum of 16 years.
Ronan's family, who were in the courtroom wearing 'Justice for Ronan' T-shirts, sobbed as the teenager's father Chander read a tribute to his "beautiful boy".
Veadhesa and Shergill, both wearing black suits and ties, sat next to each other in the dock and listened to proceedings.
Mistaken identity
Ronan Kanda was stabbed from behind in a shocking case of mistaken identity.
He had just finished his GCSEs and was looking forward to the summer holidays before starting sixth form and A-levels the following September.
On June 29, he left home around 8pm to collect a gaming controller from a friend's house and listened to music on his headphones as he walked.
Earlier that day another 16-year-old, Prabjeet Veadhesa, had collected a Ninja sword set and a large machete from a local post-office which he had bought online. He had taken a dislike to one of Ronan’s friends and the two had fought on a previous occasion.
Later the same day Veadhesa conspired with three associates to visit Ronan’s friend as he was owed money, but it was clear from the weapons they carried that their intention was violence.
All four travelled to Lanesfield in a red Corsa driven by 20-year-old Josiah Francis and front-seat passenger 18-year-old Joseph Whittaker.
Just before 8.30pm the car entered Mount Road as Ronan was almost home. Veadhesa and another 16-year-old Sukhman Shergill got out of the car and chased after Ronan.
Veadhesa reached him and struck twice. Ronan was taken completely by surprise and was utterly defenceless. He stumbled and called for help before collapsing in the road.
Sadly Ronan’s injuries were too catastrophic to survive and he died at the scene.
Although only Veadhesa inflicted the blows which killed Ronan, Shergill was found to have acted in the joint enterprise of Ronan’s murder.
After a five-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, a jury took just over two hours to find the pair, now 17, guilty of murder. Both Francis and Whittaker were acquitted of all charges.