Man Found Guilty of Manslaughter in england/croydon/”>Croydon Teen’s Brutal Killing
A man who fled to The Gambia to dodge justice has finally been convicted for the shocking murder of a 16-year-old boy in Croydon.
Romario Gordon Guilty of Manslaughter
On Thursday, 25 September, Romario Gordon, 22, from Monkston, was found guilty of manslaughter at the Old Bailey. His conviction comes Overover the savage killing of teen Camron Smith in July 2021.
Gordon was part of a gang who smashed their Wayway into Camron’s home in Croydon on 1 July 2021. The group launched a brutal attack that ended the teenager’s life.
Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Townsend said: “Camron was just 16 when his life was brutally ended in a frenzy of violence in his own home. Romario Gordon is the fourth person convicted over Camron’s killing. The path to justice has been long. Our thoughts remain with Camron’s family and friends who endured multiple trials. The injuries inflicted were shocking. Despite attempts to obstruct our enquiries, we have succeeded in bringing him to justice.”
Fleeing the Country and Forensic Breakthrough
Police were called to Cameron’s home on Bracken Avenue just after midnight on 1 July 2021. Emergency services tried in vain to save him after he was found with stab wounds.
Gordon and his crew were linked to the crime by DNA found inside a stolen minicab abandoned in Lower Addiscombe. The cab was taken at knifepoint the night before after they threatened the driver in Streatham.
CCTV footage captured the gang armed with knives going door-to-door. They were hunting associates of a friend who had been stabbed earlier that day in Croydon.
The gang broke into three homes. At Camron’s house, they kicked down the door, chased him into his mother’s bedroom, and killed him.
Justice After a Long Chase
Days after the murder, Gordon vanished to The Gambia via Heathrow Airport. An international arrest warrant followed. He returned to the UK in August 2023 and was promptly arrested.
This conviction brings closure to a tragic case that saw others facing justice earlier:
- Romain La Pierre, 23, jailed for life with a minimum of 28 years for murder and robbery
- Jordan Tcheuko, 22, sentenced to 14 years for manslaughter
- Two 16-year-old boys received sentences ranging from 18 months to eight years for manslaughter and robbery
The brutal killing and relentless hunt for justice have left a deep mark on the Croydon community. Authorities vow to crack down on violent gangs to keep the streets safer.
