Two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after deliberately causing the death of 16-year-old Tafari Thompson-Mintah in a moped crash in Orpington.
The Incident
Tafari was riding his moped on Sevenoaks Way on October 9, 2023, when he was struck by a car. The collision caused Tafari’s moped to swerve into the path of an oncoming car, where he was hit and fatally injured.
Emergency services pronounced him dead at 4:04 PM, with a post-mortem confirming the cause of death as head trauma.
The Attack
The court heard that Tafari had been in a relationship with Aaron Conway’s daughter, which had ended acrimoniously. Conway, 39, of Villas Road, Plumstead, was determined to intimidate and threaten Tafari.
On the day of the incident, Conway and Joseph Barnes, 41, of Byfleet, Surrey, pursued Tafari in a stolen car. Barnes drove while Conway encouraged him. They chased Tafari at high speed before swerving into him, deliberately knocking him off his scooter.
Sentencing
Appearing at Woolwich Crown Court on 6 December, the pair received the following sentences:
- Joseph Barnes: Convicted of murder, sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 25 years.
- Aaron Conway: Convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment.
A third man charged in connection with the incident was found not guilty following a trial.
Police Statement
Acting Detective Chief Inspector Martin Thorpe, who led the investigation, said:
“Conway encouraged Barnes to drive recklessly, and in doing so, both played a part in the cruel and senseless ending of a young boy’s life.
“This has been an incredibly distressing time for Tafari’s family. Nothing will erase the pain of their loss, but I hope that today’s lengthy prison sentences will give them some small sense of closure.”
Community Impact
The deliberate and violent nature of Tafari’s death has left the Orpington community shocked and saddened. Friends and family have described Tafari as a bright young man whose life was cruelly cut short.
This sentencing brings justice for the senseless loss, though it cannot undo the pain endured by those who loved him.
