Teenager sentenced for student stabbing in Enfield

13/06/2012

A 15 year old has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of ten and a half years after being convicted of murdering a 21 year old student following an altercation in a residential street in Enfield.

The defendant was in a small group of teenagers who threw unripe horse chestnuts at 21 year old student Steven Grisales as he walked down College Close in Enfield.

He remonstrated with the youths which led to a physical altercation. Grisales grabbed a skateboard and swung it at the youths hitting the defendant once. The defendant and Grisales then exchanged punches before the defendant pulled a knife from his jacket and stabbed the victim once to the left side of the chest, causing a single stab wound to the heart.

Despite paramedics performing open heart surgery at the scene, and extensive surgery in hospital, the victim was pronounced dead the following day.

CPS London Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Jenny Hopkins said:

"This is a tragic case where a young man was simply making his way home. He was drawn into an incident with the defendant who was carrying a knife and was prepared to use it. The result is that he tragically lost his life.

"By using his knife to stab Steven to the chest area the defendant can only have intended to cause him at least very serious injury and the jury determined that he was not acting in self defence.

"Another shocking aspect of this case is the public nature of the attack. Children, some as young as five, witnessed this violent murder and were interviewed at length by the police about what they saw. I thank them and their families for their assistance.

"I hope that todays sentencing offers some comfort to Stephens family at this very difficult time."