A teenager, Marques Walker has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a “defenceless” 14-year-old boy, Jermaine Cools in the United Kingdom.
The 17-year-old Walker stabbed Cools to death on the ground outside a chicken shop in Croydon, south London, according to Sky News.
The incident which happened on 18th November, 2021 made Cools the youngest victim of a fatal knife crime in that year.
Walker was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday, with a minimum of 19 years behind bars, excluding the 497 days he has already spent in custody.
His sentencing was the first time a juvenile murderer has been handed down their punishment at the Old Bailey on television in England and Wales following a successful legal challenge by the media, Sky News said.
At the time of the killing, Walker, then aged 16, was on bail for carrying a large knife, the Old Bailey was told.
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Earlier this year, Walker pleaded guilty to Cools’ murder and possessing a knife.
Judge Sarah Munro KC said he had earlier said he was not guilty but later changed his plea.
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The impact of “defenceless” Jermaine’s violent death was “immeasurable”, the judge added during Walker’s sentencing
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