Four Teen Boys Jailed for Murder and Robbery of Wilham Mendes in Tottenham
Four teenage boys have been locked up for a total of 29 years following the brutal robbery and murder of 25-year-old Wilham Mendes in Tottenham in December 2018.
Sentences Handed Down at the Old Bailey
- 17-year-old: Jailed for 16½ years for murder, robbery, and possession of an offensive weapon. He pleaded guilty to murder mid-trial in July 2019.
- 16-year-old: Sentenced to 2½ years for robbery of Wilham Mendes and another man. Found not guilty of murder and attempted robbery.
- 17-year-old: Given 10 years for manslaughter and robbery. Pleaded guilty to manslaughter after jury failed to reach a verdict on murder. Also pleaded guilty to weapon possession.
- 16-year-old: Received a youth referral order with a three-month curfew for robbery. Previously found not guilty of murder and other charges.
The Night of the Attack
The chilling incident unfolded just after 1.20am on 22 December 2018. Police and ambulance crews rushed to Albert Place, N17, after reports of a stabbing. They found Wilham Mendes with fatal stab wounds to his chest and stomach.
Wilham was rushed to the Royal London Hospital but sadly died at 2.13am despite doctors’ efforts.
Tribute to a Promising Young Man
Wilham Mendes, a Portuguese national living in the UK since 2015, was on his way home from work when the attack happened. His family, based in Portugal, were notified of the tragedy.
Detective Sergeant Devan Taylor said:
“This was a tragic case. Wilham was an outstanding young man with a bright future. He was in the prime of his life. But that future was cruelly stolen by these boys who spent the night robbing and attacking people with no regard for anyone’s life.”
He added:
“The Mendes family now face living with this terrible loss, while the defendants will carry the stain of their crimes – and the weight of a man’s death – for the rest of their lives.”
