Enfield stabbing: Man, 18, charged with murder after talented footballer stabbed to death in tower block

An 18-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a talented footballer who was stabbed to death in Enfield last week.

Timothy Adeoye, of no fixed abode, was charged on Saturday with the murder of 18-year-old Donovan Allen.

Donovan Allen - a talented footballer - was the first teen to be killed in London this year.

Mr Adeoye has been remanded in custody at Willesden Magistrates’ Court and will appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

He was also charged with three counts of attempted robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and threatening a person with a blade in a public place.

Donovan, from Hemel Hempstead, had travelled the 25 miles to Enfield to see friends on February 7.

He was knifed in a fight outside Bonnington House flats, in Ayley Croft, Ponders End.

Officers found the teenager with stab wounds at the Enfield block of flats around 6.10pm.

Despite the best efforts of emergency services, he sadly died at the scene.

A post-mortem examination held on Wednesday, 9 February found that Donovan died from a single stab wound to the chest.

Detectives said a 14-year-old boy, who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, had been bailed until early March.

This is the first fatal teen stabbing in London this year, after a tragic 2021 in the capital, where more teenagers were killed than in any year since the Second World War.

Police investigating Donovan’s death are renewing their appeal for information.

Det Insp Louise Caveen, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “We are now seven days on from an attack that stole a young man’s life.

“His family continue to struggle to comprehend why he was taken from them, and I am hoping that someone can help provide us with some answers.

“This murder happened in the early evening, not far from the Great Cambridge Road, which would have been busy.

“I would ask that anyone who has not yet come forward puts themselves in the place of Donovan’s family and friends and thinks about the impact on their lives.

“While we have made two arrests, and charged a man with murder, this investigation is far from over.

“Did you see anything that could help us? Did you capture something on dash cam? Please call us.”

In a statement, Donovan’s family said: “Donovan was born small with his dad, nana and three uncles at his birth.

“From the start he was surrounded by love and he went on to increase and attract more love as he grew.

“He would pray for his friends and family every morning and night, and even the last morning one of us spoke to Don, he said: ‘I’ve said my prayers and done 40 press ups. I’m doing well, aren’t I?’

His family said that “there are no words to describe how much Donovan will be missed”.

“Every child is special, we know that, but Donovan was exceptional because his gift was making others feel special,” they said.

“He thought everyone was kind like him.

“Yes, he was a mummy’s boy, but he was a daddy’s boy, uncle’s boy, aunty’s boy, and his grandparents’ boy.

“He was confident, charming and was very much adored by his younger siblings.

“Although Donovan’s physical body was robbed from us – and we can no longer see, hear or touch him – in time we will take comfort in knowing that the love he had for his family and friends will continue to live on in our hearts and memories.

“Donovan was loyal and trusting to his detriment.

“He was a boy who was planning his birthday party at the end of the month.

“He finished his journey the happiest he has ever been and had so much to share around.

“There are no words to describe how much Donovan will be missed.”

Anyone with any images or footage relevant to the investigation is asked to upload them by visiting the online major incident portal.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101, quoting reference CAD 5753/07FEB. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.