A mother and her teenage son have been convicted for the murder of a 17-year-old boy in a machete attack in Sydenham, south London. Nichola Leighton, 36, and her son Tyreese Ulysses, 19, were found guilty at the Old Bailey for their roles in the death of Levi Ernest-Morrison.
The court heard that on 10 April, Leighton drove Ulysses and a group of friends to the scene after becoming furious that the victim had repeatedly knocked on her door looking for her son. Armed with knives, the group chased and fatally stabbed Ernest-Morrison in an attack that lasted just 30 seconds.
Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones said Leighton had called police earlier, threatening to 'batter' the boys if they returned, but also contacted her son, who then gathered the group. Leighton admitted driving but denied knowing they were armed, while Ulysses claimed they only intended to scare the victim.
Leighton was convicted of murder and possession of an offensive weapon. Ulysses was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict. Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were also convicted of murder. The jury failed to reach a verdict for a 15-year-old defendant.
The defendants were remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced on 28 January 2022.
