Teenagers sentenced for manslaughter of student (From Enfield Independent)
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Teenagers sentenced for manslaughter of 17-year-old student Ezekiel Amosu
4:24pm Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News By Hermione Wright
Ezekiel Amosu died after he was hit by a bus last year
Two teenagers convicted of manslaughter were sentenced at the Old Bailey today.
Ezekiel Amosu, 17, died after he was chased into the path of a double-decker bus in Forest Road in Walthamstow on January 24 last year.
Trae Hudson, 16, of Cherry Road in Enfield Wash and Cliff Perreira, 16, of Billet Road in Walthamstow were each sentenced to four years detention.
Hudson was sentenced to a further six months detention for perverting the course of justice.
The court heard that Ezekiel was with friends inside the communal gardens of Essex Close in Forest Road, when they were approached by a group of youths.
Ezekiel was so fearful of the group that he fled the scene into Forest Road.
He was chased into the path of a passing bus by Perreira and Hudson who were armed with a stone and stick.
Ezekiel suffered major head and chest injuries and died at the scene, and Perreira and Hudson immediately fled.
The talented 17-year-old, who was in the top sets for his A-levels at Leyton Sixth Form College, dreamed of studying music at the University of Oxford.
A statement from his family said: "Ezekiel was a talented young man who was much-loved and respected by family and friends alike.
"He would have been preparing to go to university had his life not been tragically cut short in this way.
"Danger on the streets is created by fellow human beings who are out of control and have no concern about the consequences of their actions.
"We pray the streets become safer and that there will be enough deterrents for those who endanger life.”
Two 16-year-old boys from Walthamstow and a 14-year-old from Chingford have been acquitted of manslaughter.
However, the 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to a 12-month youth rehabilitation order for perverting the course of justice.
Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin, from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "Those convicted of manslaughter and sentenced today were found by a jury to be culpable for Ezekiel's death.
"Their convictions for serious offences demonstrate the far-reaching and tragic outcomes that can occur when young people engage in acts of aggression."
