Jury shown CCTV of Luton teen before 'murderous assault'

A trial has heard how a teenager was stabbed to death in a "murderous assault" as he walked home.

CCTV footage showing the moments before the attack on Derrick Kinyua, 19, was shown to the jury at Luton Crown Court.

Shakeel Morton, 20, Malcolm Mangawa, 23, from Luton - and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons - all deny murder.

Prosecutor Charlene Sumnall told the court the stabbing was "brutal in its lethal efficiency."

The jury was shown CCTV footage of Mr Kinyua walking from JJ Food and Wine on Hitchin Road in Luton to his home on Crescent Road at about 20:18 BST on 14 April.

A grey Vauxhall Astra, driven by Mr Morton and containing Mr Mangawa, and two 17-year-old boys, was spotted a two-minute drive away on Hucklesby Way, the court was told.

Ms Sumnall said: "He doesn't get very far before he is confronted initially by four males who all pile out of a vehicle and run towards him.

"It seems that all four are heading towards Derrick. They run with purpose, the crown say. There is initially no hesitation from any of them. It seems unlikely that this was a random attack on a stranger, although it is possible."

The CCTV appeared to show the two 17-year-olds armed with large, visible knives or swords.

The court heard how Mr Kinyua tried to defend himself with the contents of the carrier bag he was carrying and a wheelie bin.

Mr Kinyua was stabbed in the neck and the chest, and either injury would have been fatal, the court heard.

He was taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital but was pronounced dead at 21:11 - 52 minutes after the attack.

The grey Astra was later found abandoned on 16 April in the Broad Oak Court - Garfield Court area of Handcross Road.

The case continues.

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