The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
TWO GUILTY IN STABBING TRIAL
Two teenagers convicted after week long trial
Two teenagers involved in the stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in a Peterborough park are facing a ‘significant’ spell behind bars.
Felix Marshall-Williams and Mark Makundi were involved in the broad daylight attack on the youth in Fulbridge Park in December last year.
The stabbing happened after the victim had called out to Makundi and a female friend telling them ‘they were in the wrong area.’
Makundi and his friend left the park, and met up with Marshall-Williams, before returning to the park.
The 15-year-old boy suffered two stab wounds to his chest - one damaging his lung - and was left fighting for his life.
Marshall-Williams admitted stabbing the boy - but claimed it was in self defence.
On Tuesday. Makundi (18), of Cissbury Ring, Werrington, Peterborough and MarshallWilliams (16) of St Pauls Road, Peterborough, were both convicted of wounding with intent following a week-long trial at Peterborough Crown Court.
Makundi was also found guilty of carrying a knife - an offence Marshall-Williams had already admitted.
After the jury returned their verdicts, Judge Sean Enright said: “They (the two defendants) should understand they have been found guilty of Section 18 as a result of carrying knives in the street. They must understand significant sentences will follow.”
The court heard how the incident started at about 3.30pm on December 28 as Makundi and a female friend walked along Fulbridge Road.
It was said the 15-year-old victim was playing football in ‘the cage’ area of the park - and enclosed hard surface used as a basketball court. The victim called out to Makundi and his friend, saying ‘they were in the wrong area’ and a short confrontation occurred. Makundi and the girl left the park - only to return a few minutes later with Marshall-Williams.
Both the boys were seen on CCTV in the area wearing hoods. The CCTV showed the trio heading towards ‘the cage’ - only to be seen running away one minute and 14 seconds later - after the stabbing took place.
David Matthew, prosecuting, said Makundi confronted the boy, before Marshall-Williams delivered the blows with the knife.
The pair were arrested a few days later, and initially Makundi denied being at the scene - but later changed his story, saying he had been at the scene but did not do anything. Marshall-Williams initially denied he had a knife but accepted he had been at the scene - before changing his account when forensics found on a knife discovered at his home had the victim’s DNA on it.
He said he had initially denied having a knife as ‘no-one would believe his account.’
The 15-year-old boy suffered one deep knife wound to his chest, which damaged his lung, and one other, smaller wound to his chest. He was taken to Peterborough City Hospital, and then later transferred to Papworth, where medics ‘saved his life with aggressive blood transfusions.’
A sentencing date and location for Makundi and Marshall-Williams has not yet been set.
Both defendants were found not guilty of a count of attempted murder. Makundi was found guilty of possession of a knife by a majority verdict of 11 to one.
Marshall-Williams can be named after the Peterborough Telegraph challenged reporting restrictions which were in place.
Scott Ivill, defending Marshall-Williams, said the reporting restriction which had been put in place banning the publication of his client’s name, should remain in place because it could cause damage to the defendant for many years in the future. However, the Peterborough Telegraph asked for the restriction to be lifted because of the serious and shocking nature of the case, and to act as a deterrent to other youngsters who carried knives.
Judge Enright said it was in the public interest for Marshall-Williams to be named.