A teenager from Southall was involved in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Elijah Dornelly during an ambush attack has been found guilty of murder.

Ezra Soares-Abeka, 18, of Caxton Road, Southall, and his accomplice Morgan Mockford, 18, of Randolph Road, Walthamstow, were found guilty at the Old Bailey on Wednesday (November 29).

During the murder trial, which started on November 6, jurors heard that Elijah was stabbed in the stomach in High Street, Walthamstow, on May 7.

He died from the wound less than two hours after the stabbing, which was carried out by Soares-Abeka and Mockford at around 11.30pm.

CCTV shown during the trial showed that 17-year-old Elijah, who lived in Walthamstow, was a victim of a “targeted attack” that night.

The two defendants were laying in wait behind a telephone box before jumping out on their victim.

Soares-Abeka and Mockford made off on bicycles after stabbing Elijah once in the abdomen and CCTV later identified the pair at a fast food restaurant after the murder.

They were arrested on May 15 by Metropolitan Police detectives at their home addresses.

Mockford (left) and Southall resident Soares-Abeka have been found guilty of murder

During the trial, jurors heard Southall resident Soares-Abeka was the first to swing at Elijah, but it was Mockford who inflicted the fatal stab wound.

Detective Inspector Ian Lott, of Metropolitan Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said he hopes the verdict gives some relief to victim's family.

“Elijah was ambushed in a sudden attack by these two defendants and in an instant, the stab wound that would end his life was inflicted,” he said.

Elijah Dornelly died in hospital from his injuries

“This is another tragic reminder of the sad consequences of disaffected young people carrying and using knives, seemingly without a thought for the repercussions, and the lives being taken and ruined by senseless violence.

“I hope this verdict is well-received by Elijah's grieving family, who have acted with the utmost dignity since the murder and have shown immense bravery by attending the trial and facing the people responsible for Elijah's murder.”

Soares-Abeka and Mockford were found guilty by a majority verdict on Wednesday (November 29) and they will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Monday (December 4).

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