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Four on trial for 'senseless' Halloween murder in Croydon Four on trial for 'senseless' Halloween murder in Croydon
(about 1 hour later)
Attackers armed with knives, baseball bats and a screwdriver killed a young man and injured two others in a horrifying night of Halloween violence, a court has heard.Attackers armed with knives, baseball bats and a screwdriver killed a young man and injured two others in a horrifying night of Halloween violence, a court has heard.
Part-time student Scotty Kouebitra, 22, died after sustaining a knife wound to the neck and chest on 31 October last year, the Old Bailey was told on Tuesday.Part-time student Scotty Kouebitra, 22, died after sustaining a knife wound to the neck and chest on 31 October last year, the Old Bailey was told on Tuesday.
He had been with friends in a park in Croydon, south London, when he was set upon for no obvious reason, jurors heard.He had been with friends in a park in Croydon, south London, when he was set upon for no obvious reason, jurors heard.
Eight attackers had arrived at the scene in two cars, armed with a variety of weapons for a “planned attack” which took just two minutes. They then drove away.Eight attackers had arrived at the scene in two cars, armed with a variety of weapons for a “planned attack” which took just two minutes. They then drove away.
The prosecutor, Louis Mably QC, said: “This was a futile and completely senseless attack.”The prosecutor, Louis Mably QC, said: “This was a futile and completely senseless attack.”
He said the evidence did not reveal the reason for the killing and whether Kouebitra was simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.He said the evidence did not reveal the reason for the killing and whether Kouebitra was simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.
But, he said: “There was clearly no justification for this group arriving as they did with weapons and attacking people in the way that they did.”But, he said: “There was clearly no justification for this group arriving as they did with weapons and attacking people in the way that they did.”
A paramedic called to nearby Gloucester Road found Kouebitra, from Sutton, south London, lying on the ground, his clothes “soaking with blood”, just after 8pm.A paramedic called to nearby Gloucester Road found Kouebitra, from Sutton, south London, lying on the ground, his clothes “soaking with blood”, just after 8pm.
As well as a knife wound to the neck and chest, he had been stabbed in the arm with a screwdriver.As well as a knife wound to the neck and chest, he had been stabbed in the arm with a screwdriver.
Aaron Jackson, 26, of South Norwood, Jahliel Rose, 21, of no fixed abode, Marcus Asemota, 23, of Bromley, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be identified, deny murder. They have also pleaded not guilty to wounding Keith Hawker, 28, and Abdil Jamal-Abdilahi, 23, with intent.Aaron Jackson, 26, of South Norwood, Jahliel Rose, 21, of no fixed abode, Marcus Asemota, 23, of Bromley, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be identified, deny murder. They have also pleaded not guilty to wounding Keith Hawker, 28, and Abdil Jamal-Abdilahi, 23, with intent.
When police arrested the 17-year-old, he denied involvement although the victim’s blood was found on his clothes, jurors heard.When police arrested the 17-year-old, he denied involvement although the victim’s blood was found on his clothes, jurors heard.
Rose told police he was out trick or treating with his sister at the time, Mably said.Rose told police he was out trick or treating with his sister at the time, Mably said.
Hawker had been at the park to let off fireworks with his brother Tom and his friends, including Kouebitra.
He saw Kouebitra being chased by the group of men before one of them stabbed him in the leg.
After he took refuge in a front garden, Kouebitra collapsed face down in front of him, the court heard.
Jamal-Abdilahi, the passenger on a passing moped, was stabbed in the stomach, jurors were told.
The trial continues.The trial continues.