Knife-Wielding Man Jailed for 25 Years Over Teen’s Fatal Wandsworth Stabbing
A cold-blooded killer armed himself with a knife and stabbed an 18-year-old teenager to death in Wandsworth last summer. Now, Fernando Pope, 21, has been locked up for a minimum of 25 years.
At the Old Bailey on Friday, 7 January, Pope, who has no fixed address, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Cheyon Evans. He had been found guilty earlier in January after a tense trial.
Cheyon’s Family Left Devastated
“Fernando Pope set out that night armed to kill and he will now pay the price for his actions,” said Detective Chief Inspector Helen Rance, who led the investigation.
“But it’s not just Pope who will serve a life sentence — Cheyon’s family have been left utterly bereft and will never stop grieving their loss.”
Detective Rance urged the public to come forward with information if they know anyone carrying knives or involved in criminal activity. She said: “You don’t have to speak directly to police — just call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit their website.”
The Deadly Scene on Deeside Road
- The stabbing took place at 4.30pm on Friday, 14 June 2019, on Deeside Road, Wandsworth.
- Police and ambulance crews found Cheyon in critical condition.
- Despite desperate efforts from paramedics and London’s Air Ambulance, Cheyon died at the scene.
- Post-mortem confirmed death by stab wound to the chest.
Swift Justice After CCTV Leads Police to Killer
Specialist Crime homicide detectives quickly zeroed in on Pope after CCTV from the estate revealed his actions. He was arrested six days after the attack, on 20 June 2019, and charged the following day.
Fernando Pope’s brutal attack has stunned the community, but with justice served, police hope it sends a clear message: knifewielding violence won’t be tolerated.
