Man guilty of killing teen in robbery attempt

A man has been found guilty of murdering a 19-year-old after stabbing him eight times in an attempted robbery.

Kent Police said Musa Salih tried to lock Harley Purdue in a toilet in the basement of a building in Thorold Road, Chatham, at about 03:00 GMT on 2 December 2025, and attacked and killed the victim following an altercation.

Salih, 19, of Greenford in London, was arrested the same day in Lewisham and his phone showed he had asked an AI app for legal advice, police added.

He was found guilty of murder at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday. Salih, who Kent Police say is an Eritrean national, will be sentenced on 4 November.

Kent Police said Salih, an Eritrean national, also attempted to attack Purdue's girlfriend after she tried to intervene.

Salih had planned to lock Purdue in the toilet so he could steal money from his bedroom, the force added.

Det Sgt Alastair Worton said: "Salih's plan to steal Mr Purdue's money in the middle of the night, whilst armed with a knife, resulted in the death of a young man and left his family mourning the loss of a loved one.

"Our thoughts remain with his loved ones whose strength and dignity throughout our investigation and the court proceedings has been commendable.

"I hope today's verdict brings them some sense that justice has been done."

Salih was also on trial for wounding with intent, but was found not guilty.

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