A 17-year-old has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the manslaughter of another teenager in a north London park. Blaise Lewinson attacked Stefan Appleton, also 17, with a 25-inch serrated Zombie Killer machete, stabbing him in the leg and chest. The attack took place at Nightingale Park in Islington on 10 June last year, while children were playing nearby.
Lewinson, who was 16 at the time, was convicted of manslaughter following a jury deliberation of 14 and a half hours but cleared of murder. At the Old Bailey, Judge Richard Hone QC lifted reporting restrictions to allow the defendant to be named, saying identification would act as a deterrent and serve the public interest. The judge described the killing as “very close to murder” and called Lewinson a dangerous offender fascinated with illegal knives.
The court heard that Lewinson jumped off a stolen scooter, chased Stefan and his friends, and stabbed Stefan as he lay on the ground after tripping. The victim was unarmed and died in hospital. Lewinson shouted “RP”, a reference to the Red Pitch gang, as he fled. He went to Bristol, attempted to book a flight to Spain, then returned to London, where he was arrested days later.
Judge Hone noted Lewinson’s history of previous offending and non-compliance with court orders, as well as his conduct after the killing, including arranging for the scooter to be burned, destroying clothing, and persuading a 15-year-old girl to conceal a crash helmet. While on remand, Lewinson fought with inmates and was caught with makeshift weapons. The judge said he posed a high risk of violent and psychological harm to others.
Lewinson must serve at least nine years before becoming eligible for release on licence. His conviction came shortly after then-Home Secretary Theresa May announced plans to ban Zombie Killer knives, which she said glamorise violence and are aimed at young people.
