Teen Sentenced to 17 Years for Brutal Machete Murder
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been handed a 17-year prison sentence at Inner London Crown Court. He was found guilty of murder after a harrowing trial that concluded on 9 March.
Accomplices Also Face Prison Time
Three other men were convicted of manslaughter in the same case and received lengthy sentences:
- Yusuf Murat Aydin, 22, of Eltham Green Road, SE9 – 12 years
- Jack Davies, 20, of Westhorne Avenue – 11 years
- Benedict Paul, 18, of Ellis Close, SE9 – 9 years
Shocking Attack Caught on CCTV
On 8 February 2022, around 3pm, Bartosz and his friend were out shopping in SE9 when a black Seat Leon pulled up alongside them. Yusuf Aydin was driving, with all four defendants inside. Aydin got out first and confronted Bartosz, before the others joined in, pushing and shoving him down Lionel Road.
Near Westhorne Avenue, the gang viciously attacked Bartosz. He fell to the floor and was brutally stabbed with a machete-style knife. Emergency responders rushed him to an east London hospital, but he sadly died from a fatal stab wound to the stomach, which severed a major vein. He also suffered other knife injuries on his leg and hand.
Post-Attack Cover-Up and Arrests
Forensics found another blood trail at the scene belonging to Aydin, who had recently been treated in hospital for stab wounds that reopened during the attack. The blood trail led back to Aydin’s parked car, which was cleaned professionally the next day in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Mobile phone data showed the suspects fled together to an address linked to Davies.
Witnesses told police the 17-year-old was the one wielding the deadly machete.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Kieran, leading the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said:
“This was an intentional attack, it was brutal and afterwards all four defendants took steps to avoid being arrested. They must now all spend time behind bars as a result of their actions.”
Davies was arrested on 10 February 2022, and the 17-year-old was arrested the following day at London City Airport as he tried to flee to Ghana. Aydin was also arrested on 11 February. Benedict Paul handed himself in on 16 February after fleeing to Kent on the day of the murder.
DCI Kieran added:
“This sentencing will undoubtedly bring the raw emotions of Bartosz’s murder back to his friends and family; while his death will continue to have a devastating impact on them I can only hope that seeing those responsible jailed will afford them some sense of justice.”
