Two teens guilty of killing Daejaun Campbell, 15

Daejaun Campbell died after he was stabbed on Eglinton Road in Woolwich on 22 September 2024

Two teenagers have been found guilty of killing a 15 year old with a machete in south-east London.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to his age, was found guilty of the murder of Daejaun Campbell after jury deliberations of more than 19 hours.

Marko Balaz 19, was found guilty of manslaughter, but acquitted of murder. A third defendant, Jacob Losiewicz, 18, was cleared of murder at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

Sentencing has been adjourned to 6 October.

Prosecutor Mukul Chawla KC said the reason for the killing could not be established as Daejaun did not live in Woolwich, but appeared to be a visitor to the area.

The victim may have been used as a "carrier and supplier of drugs" and this may have been the reason he may have been ambushed, said Mr Chawla.

The trial heard Losiewicz had driven Balaz and the 17-year-old defendant to Woolwich in his mother's car on 22 September last year, just a few minutes before the attack in Eglinton Road.

The defendants appeared to have targeted Daejaun Campbell as he approached and went past the house the three were in, the court heard.

'He's been stabbed'

The prosecution alleged the three defendants were captured on Ring doorbell footage walking along a path leading to Eglinton Road and are said to have gone into an address at number 91.

A minute later Daejaun had walked past the same address and "would have been in clear view of anyone looking out of the windows," said Mr Chawla.

Shortly afterwards the 17-year-old defendant was recorded walking towards Eglinton Road dressed in a black t-shirt, black trousers and a black balaclava, with the defendant Balaz following behind.

Eyewitnesses saw Daejaun Campbell running up the path apparently being chased by two males and heard a female voice shout "he's been stabbed."

The prosecution said a witness had heard Daejaun screaming and calling for "help" as he was stabbed.

'Senseless killing'

It can now be reported Daejaun was friends with 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa, who was fatally stabbed by two 16-year-old boys with machetes on a bus in Woolwich months later on 7 January.

Last Friday, two 16-year-old youths were detained for at least 15 years and 10 months after pleading guilty at the Old Bailey to Kelyan's murder.

The boys' murders, though not directly related, bore similarities and resulted in pleas by their families to end the "senseless killings".

In the wake of Daejaun's murder, his family released a statement in which Daejaun was described as "naturally gifted, intelligent, creative and musically talented".

Giving evidence in his defence, the 17-year-old defendant claimed he was the only person to have inflicted any injuries to Daejaun that day and that he only did so as he was acting in self-defence.

Balaz told the court he had been present at the scene, but had not got involved in the stabbing - while Losiewicz did not give evidence.

Before the trial started the 17-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, a machete, and the jury heard he had two previous convictions for possessing an offensive weapon.

Balaz had two previous convictions for possessing a bladed article, the court heard.