Boy, 16, was stabbed to death after slapping a teenager who tried to steal his mobile phone in the face, court hears
- Teen fatally stabbed allegedly trying to stop assailants from stealing his phone
- Stelios Averkiou, 16, died nine days after he was stabbed in thigh, court hears
- The accused, both 18, have denied charges of murder and manslaughter
A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death when he tried to stop two other teenagers from stealing his mobile phone, a court has heard.
Stelios Averkiou was sitting on a park bench when he was approached by Kyi-Riece Sylvester and Leon Gruber, both 18, in Tottenham, north London, on 1 August, 2021.
Police allege the two teenagers were trying to rob the younger boy.
Sylvester allegedly pulled out a large knife from his trouser pocket and stabbed Stelios three times in the thigh, jurors heard. One of the wounds was 18cm deep.
An air ambulance arrived at the Lordship Recreation Ground at about 2.10pm and Stelios was transferred to Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London.
He died nine days later, the Old Bailey heard.
Stelios Averkiou was sitting on a park bench when he was approached by Kyi-Riece Sylvester and Leon Gruber, both 18, in Tottenham (pictured), north London, on 1 August, 2021
Sylvester and Gruber both deny charges of murder and manslaughter.
Prosecutor Jacob Hallam KC told the court Sylvester had a knife ‘sticking out of his trousers’ when the pair approached Stelios.
‘He said words to the effect of ”I’ll take that” and took Stelios’ mobile phone from him.’
Mr Hallam alleged there was a verbal altercation between Sylvester and Stelios before the former slapped the 16-year-old on the face.
‘In response to that, Stelios hit Mr Sylvester to the cheek,’ Mr Hallam told jurors.
‘Mr Sylvester then moved back, pulled the knife that he had in his trousers out and held it in his hand.’
Stelios tried to move away from Sylvester but tripped against the edge of the bench, jurors heard.
Gruber tried to take a phone from one of Stelios’ friends and nabbed a bike from the other, prosecutors allege.
A woman in the park witnessed the attack, the court heard.
‘Stelios, she saw, raised his arms, seemingly in a gesture of surrender and fell to the floor,’ Mr Hallam said.
‘At that point, she saw his attacker, as it seemed to her, start to slash at Stelios’ legs. Afterwards both males ran off.’
The trial continues.
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