Teenager murdered in 'minor' row

Nassirudeen was killed just days before his 17th birthday

A 16-year-old boy stabbed to death on his way to shops in the West End was murdered in a "minor" row, the Old Bailey has heard.

A-level student Nassirudeen Osawe was stabbed through the heart in Angel, north London, as he stood at a bus stop with friends on 27 December last year.

Jurors heard Ahmet Gomulu, from Stoke Newington, north London, said the group were staring at him before the killing.

The 18-year-old denies murder and claims he was acting in self-defence.

'Don't be silly'

He was arrested three days later and claimed he grabbed the knife from one of the other boys after they tried to steal his Staffordshire bull terrier.

It is a tragedy that it was no more than this comment... that was about something so minor, that started the train of events that led to Nas's death Ed Brown QC, prosecuting

But the prosecution insist Gomulu had started the confrontation with the group who were travelling to central London to buy a cable for Nassirudeen's new X-Box.

Gomulu, whom the group had never met before, walked up to the three youths and said, "Why are you looking at me? Why are you screwing me?", it is alleged.

Gomulu laughed as he flicked open a one-and-a-half inch blade but one of Nassirudeen's friends told him "not to be silly" and to put the weapon away as he could "end up in jail", jurors heard.

But Gomulu stabbed the youth in the side before attacking Nassirudeen, knifing him with a "punching motion", the court was told.

Ed Brown QC, prosecuting, said: "It is a tragedy that it was no more than this comment, that was so unnecessary and about something so minor, that started the train of events that led to Nassirudeen's death, nothing more than that."

Gomulu also denies a charge of wounding with intent.

The trial continues.

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