Burnt Oak Stabbing: Teenager convicted of killing man with victim’s own knife

A teenager has been convicted of murdering a 28-year-old man in north London by stabbing him with the victim’s own knife.

Mohamoud Mohamed Mahdi, from Finchley Road was chased and stabbed three times in the back following an altercation in Watling Avenue, outside Burnt Oak underground station, Barnet on February 18.

Christian Kuta-Dankwa,19, of Rayners Lane, Harrow was convicted of the murder following a trial at the Old Bailey which concluded on Thursday, November 17.

Mr Kuta-Dankwa admitted in court that his friend had been dealing cannabis just before Mohamoud approached them; this was likely the cause of the dispute.

The knife used in the murder was later found on the bed of a stream inside Watling Park, while the sheath was found at the scene of the stabbing.

The following day, the teenager handed himself into police where he admitted stabbing Mohamoud but said he had acted in self-defence.

He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday December 2.

A 17-year-old male was found not guilty of murder at the same trial.

Det Ch Insp Neil John, who led the investigation, said: “Kuta-Dankwa claimed he was acting in self-defence but CCTV clearly showed that Mohamoud was leaving the scene before being chased and fatally stabbed.

“This tragic incident highlights the dangers of carrying knives.

“We know that those who carry these weapons are more likely to be victims of such violent attacks and that is why tackling violent crime of this kind continues to be the Met’s top priority.”