Teenagers guilty of Walthamstow street ambush murder

The Old Bailey heard Elijah Dornelly was attacked as he walked along Walthamstow High Street

Two teenagers have been found guilty of murdering a 17-year-old boy in an "ambush".

Elijah Dornelly was stabbed in his stomach during an attack on Walthamstow High Street, east London, on 7 May.

The Old Bailey heard Ezra Abeka-Soares, of Southall, and Morgan Mockford, of Walthamstow, both 18, lay in wait behind a phone box for Elijah.

Mockford admitted stabbing Elijah, but denied he meant to do him serious harm. Both were found guilty of murder.

The court heard having been stabbed in the stomach by Mockford, Elijah managed to run into the nearby Arabian Nights cafe.

Mr Dornelly suffered massive blood loss and was pronounced dead a few hours later.

Abeka-Soares told jurors he was not armed and did not know his friend had a knife.

Ezra Abeka-Soares (left) and Morgan Mockford will be sentenced at a later date

A jury deliberated for more than a week to find Mockford guilty of murder by a majority of 10 to two.

Abeka-Soares was also convicted of murder and possessing a knife by a majority.

After the verdict, a female relative of Elijah's collapsed on the floor as she left the courtroom and wept uncontrollably.

Det Insp Ian Lott, from the Met Police said: "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.

"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."

Abeka-Soares and Mockford were remanded in custody to be sentenced on a date to be fixed.