Teen guilty of killing 17-year-old at bus station

Thomas Taylor died after being stabbed near a bus station in Bedford

A teenager has been found guilty of murdering a 17-year-old at a bus station.

Bennett Ndenkeh, 19, was found guilty of murdering Thomas Taylor, who died after being stabbed in Bedford in January, at Luton Crown Court earlier.

Ndenkeh had previously admitted to possessing a blade.

Riaz Miah, 18, was found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter.

She'ma Dixon, 18, was found not guilty of murder, as was a 17-year-old boy who cannot be identified because of his age.

The jury could not reach a verdict for 18-year-old Ahmed Adam, who was also accused of murder.

Sentencing will take place at Luton Crown Court on 10 October.

Bennett Ndenkeh told jurors he "didn't intend" to kill Thomas Taylor

Bedfordshire Police said Thomas died after being stabbed in Greenhill Street, Bedford, just before 18:00 GMT on 8 January.

Prosecuting barrister Mark Heywood KC said "sudden" and "ugly" violence involving two groups of "young men" had broken out and Thomas was "effectively left for dead".

He told jurors how Thomas had been walking with other boys near Bedford bus station and was approached by members of a larger group.

Thomas was attacked, brought to the ground and fatally stabbed, Mr Heywood added.

He said youths involved had "fled" and passersby were "left to deal with the aftermath".

Mr Heywood added: "He [Thomas] was effectively left for dead on the pavement."

He said the "background" to the attack "almost certainly" related to an incident some days earlier involving Miah.

Evidence suggested that Miah had been assaulted by someone associated with Thomas and the incident had become an "issue".

Mr Heywood said the attack on Thomas was planned and "deliberate".

Riaz Miah had been assaulted shortly before Thomas Taylor died, jurors heard

The attack on Thomas and the movement of the youths accused in the trial earlier in the day had been captured on CCTV.

Mr Heywood said CCTV showed Thomas being stabbed by Ndenkeh, who evidence suggested was armed with a 10-inch blade.

Earlier in the trial Mr Heywood said to Ndenkeh: "You murdered him in virtually cold blood."

Ndenkeh replied: "I didn't intend to."

He claimed he been trying to protect a friend.

Justice Martin Spencer said the jury's work on this case meant he was now exempting them from future service for life.