This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-34289598
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Joshua Williams sentenced to life for 'senseless' murder of Alan Cartwright | Joshua Williams sentenced to life for 'senseless' murder of Alan Cartwright |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A man has been sentenced to life for murdering a 15-year-old cyclist during an attempt to steal his bike. | A man has been sentenced to life for murdering a 15-year-old cyclist during an attempt to steal his bike. |
| Joshua Williams, 18, was part of a group which attacked Alan Cartwright as he rode along Caledonian Road, Islington, in February. | |
| In sentencing at the Old Bailey, Judge Rebecca Poulet QC described the crime as "gratuitous and senseless" and "motivated by acquisitive greed". | In sentencing at the Old Bailey, Judge Rebecca Poulet QC described the crime as "gratuitous and senseless" and "motivated by acquisitive greed". |
| Williams was told he would serve a minimum of 21 years. | Williams was told he would serve a minimum of 21 years. |
| He had denied murder, but was found to have lashed out at Alan, delivering a single stab wound. | He had denied murder, but was found to have lashed out at Alan, delivering a single stab wound. |
| He had claimed to be at a youth club at the time of the attack, but jurors rejected his explanation. | He had claimed to be at a youth club at the time of the attack, but jurors rejected his explanation. |
| Judge Poulet said the killing "rightly horrified and dismayed the public" and acknowledged a statement from Alan's mother, Michelle Watson, in which she had laid bare the "heartbreak" felt by the whole family. | Judge Poulet said the killing "rightly horrified and dismayed the public" and acknowledged a statement from Alan's mother, Michelle Watson, in which she had laid bare the "heartbreak" felt by the whole family. |
| 'Gratuitous' stabbing | 'Gratuitous' stabbing |
| During the trial, it emerged he had been on police bail on suspicion of possessing a 4in (10cm) lock knife, although he was never charged. | During the trial, it emerged he had been on police bail on suspicion of possessing a 4in (10cm) lock knife, although he was never charged. |
| Shaquille Roberts, 18, and a 16-year-old - who cannot be identified because of their age - have already pleaded guilty to the bicycle robbery but have yet to be sentenced. | |
| Alan was cycling with five friends on the evening of the attack when the trio intercepted them, the court heard. | Alan was cycling with five friends on the evening of the attack when the trio intercepted them, the court heard. |
| They stepped out in front of the cyclists and managed to take two bikes, before Williams approached Alan and swung a knife at his chest in a "deliberate and gratuitous" stabbing. | They stepped out in front of the cyclists and managed to take two bikes, before Williams approached Alan and swung a knife at his chest in a "deliberate and gratuitous" stabbing. |
| Alan managed to cycle on for a short distance before collapsing. He was pronounced dead a short time later. | Alan managed to cycle on for a short distance before collapsing. He was pronounced dead a short time later. |
| Williams was identified in a YouTube comment on CCTV footage after police posted it online, jurors heard during the trial. | Williams was identified in a YouTube comment on CCTV footage after police posted it online, jurors heard during the trial. |