To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Two gang members who stabbed a 16-year-old Afghan refugee to death after mistaking him for a rival have been jailed for life.
Vanushan Balakrishnan and Ilyas Suleiman, both 18, knifed Rishmeet Singh 15 times in a frenzied 27-second attack in Southall, west London, on November 24, 2021.
Two years earlier, Rishmeet, a Sikh, had fled his homeland with his mother and grandmother after the Taliban killed his father and tried to kidnap him and convert him to Islam.
‘They came here to seek a safe life,’ Judge Sarah Munro KC said in her sentencing remarks. ‘With hindsight, that decision to move will haunt Rishmeet’s mother and grandmother for the rest of their lives.’
Balakrishnan and Suleiman, from Hillingdon, west London, were found guilty of murder following an Old Bailey trial in March.
In a televised sentencing at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, Judge Munro handed Suleiman a minimum term of 21 years and Balakrishnan at least 24 years.
Balakrishnan was also detained at his majesty’s pleasure for a minimum concurrent term of four years for a second offence of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Latest London news
Metropolitan Police ‘regrets’ arrest of anti-monarchy protesters at coronation
Woman stabbed to death on street in Bank Holiday attack
Shop destroyed after suspected ‘gas explosion’ in London
To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro.co.uk’s visit Metro’s London news hub.
He had admitted attacking a fellow inmate at a young offender’s institute while on remand, leaving the victim with severe brain damage.
Judge Munro said: ‘This case is yet another tragic example of the needless loss of a young teenager following a violent stabbing on the streets of London.
‘This case is the more tragic because Rishmeet was an entirely innocent victim.
‘He was described as a good person who would not hurt a fly. He was never involved in any kind of violence. It defies belief you two sought him out to kill him.’
Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected]. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.
Vanushan Balakrishnan and Ilyas Suleiman, both 18, knifed Rishmeet Singh 15 times in a frenzied 27-second attack.
