A man has been sentenced for murder after a teenager he brutally assaulted in 2016 died from his injuries five years later.
Tyrese Osei-Kofi, 25, of Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 6 December, to a minimum of seven years and ten months in prison for the murder of 17-year-old Jamel Boyce.
The 2016 Incident
On the evening of 14 October 2016, police were called to Triangle Place, SW4, where Jamel was found with stab wounds to his chest and leg.
He was treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service but went into cardiac arrest before reaching the hospital. The injury to his heart deprived his brain of oxygen for 14 critical minutes, leaving him in a minimally conscious state.
Jamel was transferred to a specialist care facility, where he required round-the-clock nursing care for five-and-a-half years.
Osei-Kofi’s Conviction and Re-sentencing
Osei-Kofi turned himself in to police on 20 October 2016 after his father recognized him in police appeals. He was arrested and later convicted of grievous bodily harm but found not guilty of attempted murder. In May 2018, he was sentenced to ten years in prison.
After Jamel’s death on 13 February 2022, a post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of death was the penetrating chest injury sustained in the 2016 attack. Homicide detectives reopened the case, leading to Osei-Kofi being charged with murder.
Family Statements
Jamel’s father, Patrick, spoke in court, saying:
“I wish to hear [Osei-Kofi] say he is sorry and ask for forgiveness from us. No amount of sentence can justify what he has done to me and my family, but I hope in time he can find remorse.”
His mother, Pansy, added:
“This stabbing turned an ordinary day in 2016 into a nightmare we lived through for five-and-a-half years. Jamel fought tirelessly to survive, despite such a bleak outlook, before closing his eyes for the last time.
“The impact of Jamel’s death extends far beyond his life. It has ripped through our family and community in ways that words can barely capture.”
Police Response
Detective Inspector Andy Griffin of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said:
“Jamel was a young man with a very promising future, known as ‘Smiley’ to his friends. The ordeal his family endured has been devastating. I hope today’s sentence brings closure to their nightmare.”
Tackling Knife Crime
The Metropolitan Police emphasized their ongoing commitment to tackling knife crime, which remains a top priority under the initiative A New Met for London. The force highlighted its work in prevention and diversion to reduce violence in communities.
For advice and support about knife crime, visit the Fearless website, which shares real stories and resources for those impacted by violent crime.
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