Five youths jailed for brutal Walthamstow stabbing murder
Four convicted in 2022, fifth sentenced after return
Four men were sentenced in June 2022 at the Old Bailey for the savage murder of Bubacar on Westbury Road, Walthamstow. Alfie Ferguson, 20, from Fairview Close was handed 22 years. Kaiyan Decordova, 20, of Ascham End got 20 years. Samuel Bartley, 19, of Sutherland Road received 19 years, while Jamal Benitez, 19, from Papermill Place was jailed for 17 years.
George Makai, 18, from Greenleaf Road, Waltham Forest, fled the country after the attack. He returned, stood trial in January 2023, and was sentenced to 15 years.
Detective slams ‘senseless’ attack
“These defendants – one just 15 at the time – went out that night aiming to cause serious harm. They didn’t have a specific target but picked Bubacar as their victim,” said Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams, who led the investigation.
“Their senseless actions robbed the community of a young life and devastated his family and friends. Knife crime causes incomprehensible harm, and we’re committed to rooting out offenders and getting weapons off our streets.”
The chilling crime caught on CCTV
On 23 October 2020, Bubacar was found fatally stabbed in his front garden. Emergency services rushed to the scene but pronounced him dead from a single chest wound.
Met’s Specialist Crime Command uncovered vital CCTV footage showing the gang leaving the nearby Priory Court estate around 8:45pm, heading to the murder scene, and returning about 21:10. The footage also showed them hiding beside a house before escaping in a taxi.
Police matched clothes from the suspects’ homes to the footage. Knives were recovered from Decordova and Ferguson’s bedrooms. Four were arrested in March 2021, while Makai was nabbed after coming back to the UK.
