Two 16-year-old boys have pleaded guilty to the murder of 14-year-old schoolboy Kelyan Bokassa, who was stabbed 27 times in a targeted machete attack aboard a Route 472 bus in Woolwich earlier this year.
The tragic incident took place on Tuesday, January 7, as Kelyan was travelling home. Emergency services rushed to Woolwich Church Street, near the Woolwich Ferry, at approximately 2.30pm, but the teenager died shortly afterwards from a severed femoral artery.
“An Aspiring Rapper’s Life Cut Short”
Kelyan, described by family as a “loving boy with dreams of becoming a rapper,” was seated at the back of the upper deck when the two assailants boarded the bus and walked directly toward him.
Court Hearing at the Old Bailey
Appearing at the Old Bailey on Friday, May 24, the teenage defendants admitted to murder and possession of a knife in a public place. Their identities remain protected by law due to their age.
Family members of Kelyan were visibly distressed in court as the details of the brutal attack were recounted.
Prosecutor Tom Little KC confirmed the attack was pre-meditated, stating:
“It is clear this is not a form of spontaneous incident. The two defendants must have known the deceased was on the bus. They approach him and almost instantaneously, the two of them pull out machetes and attacked the deceased.”
27 Blows, One Fatal Outcome
The attackers struck Kelyan around 27 times, before fleeing. One of the machetes was later recovered from the River Thames, where it had been discarded.
Scotland Yard’s Unusual Public Appeal
In a rare move, the Metropolitan Police had previously named the suspects and issued CCTV footage during the investigation, highlighting the severity of the case and the urgency to bring those responsible to justice.
Sentencing Set for July
Judge Mark Lucraft KC has ordered pre-sentencing reports. The pair will be sentenced on July 25. He also confirmed he will consider a media application to lift reporting restrictions on the defendants’ identities during that hearing.
Witnesses or anyone with information related to the case are urged to contact the Met Police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
