Teen attackers found guilty of murder after victim’s death
TWO teenagers locked up for trying to kill an innocent man who was on his way home from church have now been convicted of murder following their victim’s death.
Daniel Kinlan and Darren Boland pounced on Ajani Tella in August 2015 in Springburn in a brutal attack that involved the pair kicking and stamping on his head 20 times.
Horror footage from CCTV shows the dad-of-three being beaten as he lay helpless.
The teenagers, then aged 15 and 16, were each sentenced to more than six years behind bars after they pleaded guilty to attempted murder in November 2015.
Mr Tella, 60, who was left badly brain damaged and needing 24-hour care, died from pneumonia in December 2016.
In a rare move, prosecutors hauled Kinlan and Boland back to the dock to face a murder charge.
The duo denied the accusation, despite the ferocity of their attack.
Kinlan, 18, and Boland, 19, now each face a life sentence after being found guilty yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow.
They will learn the minimum they will spend behind bars next month.
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Mr Tella, originally from Nigeria, was set upon as he returned to his tower block from a vigil at his local church.
Kinlan had taken a cocktail of cider and drugs while Boland had downed a large amount of vodka.
They turned on Mr Tella after Boland tried to grab his hat outside the block.
Prosecutor Stewart Ronnie told the 2015 hearing: “He was unable to defend himself. Kinlan kicked him on the head two or three times.”
The thugs left their victim blood-soaked and unconscious but were snared as Mr Tella’s blood was found on Kinlan’s Nike trainers and Boland’s North Face jacket.
Kinlan’s own lawyer branded it a “truly horrific crime”.
Lady Stacey deferred sentencing for reports.