Killer with 'misplaced' sense of injustice loses appeal

Donovan Thomas' sense of injustice was "entirely misplaced", judges found

A murderer with an "entirely misplaced" sense of injustice over his life sentence had an appeal rejected.

Donovan Thomas was jailed for a minimum term of 27 years for the murder of 17-year-old Dawid Such in Swaythling, Southampton, in July 2022.

Thomas, along with two younger men who also received life but shorter minimum terms, were drug dealers in a gang operating between London and Southampton.

Dawid was cornered outside his home and stabbed and kicked by at least three of the trio who left footwear impressions on his head and torso.

Dawid Such was brutally attacked by the three men outside his home

Ken Mulangala and Cleohurtz Onyeasi, who were 20 and 21 respectively in July 2022, were also found guilty at Winchester Crown Court of murder and received life sentences of at least 23 years.

But the Court of Appeal heard there were mitigating circumstances in their sentences.

Cleohurtz Onyeasi (left) and Ken Mulangala were jailed for life at Winchester Crown Court in 2022

In Mulangala’s case, the court heard he had “a very difficult upbringing” and that “the combination of age and immaturity” had to be considered.

While in Onyeasi’s case, there was “medical evidence that supported a diagnosis of ADHD”, and that he was “more easily led than many and susceptible to being exploited by others”.

Thomas, who was 36 when he was jailed, “had no mitigation”, the Court of Appeal heard.

“[Thomas] was an older, more heavily convicted man of considerable influence upon his young and vulnerable co-accused," Lady Justice Macur said.

"Whilst the applicant may continue to suffer from a sense of unfairness and injustice, this is entirely misplaced.”

She was supported in dismissing Thomas’ appeal by Mr Justice Picken and Sir Robin Spencer.