A university student allegedly held mini cabs for a gang so they could escape after stabbing an innocent M&S shop assistant to death.
Anthony Adekola was 22 years old, returning from work when two young men wearing bandanas and black masks jumped out of their cars to chase him.
The victim was stabbed nine times in the head, neck and back, and died by the time paramedics reached Colindale in north-west London, on September 5, last year.
Ta-Jaun Subaran (age 20) and two 17-year-olds were sentenced in November to 22, 18 and 17-and-a-half year imprisonment, respectively.
Anthony Adekola was 22 years old, returning from work. A gang of youths in black masks attacked Anthony and then stabbed him to his death on a Colindale street, north-west London.
Rehal Thumbolds, 20 years old, is facing murder charges for the role he allegedly played in Anthony Adekola’s killing.
The Old Bailey was today told that Theobolds, a university student, had been with the gang as they travelled to Colindale and then allegedly told the drivers to ‘wait’ as the other men went off to murder Anthony as he walked home.
Bill Emlyn Jones was the prosecutor. He stated: “The evidence suggests… that he was part of a nine strong group or gang. If that’s not too controversial a word, that he travelled heavily armed to rival territory with what can only have been described as an express purpose to find a victim, and then stabbing that victim.
The group met for about forty minutes with Mr Theobolds, which is when the taxis started to book and everyone was in their presence.
“Mr Theobolds acknowledges that he traveled with the group.
Rehal Thobolds 20, a 20-year old man is being charged with murder for the role he allegedly played in Anthony Adekola’s (pictured below) death.
“He said that he didn’t know what was happening and was only following along.
“He was at the very least proactive in his dealings with taxi drivers.
“He said that he was the only member of the group to remain with the taxis.
He briefly stepped out of his car and reassured drivers that they were coming back.
HMP Wormwood Scrubs video-linking the defendant in grey tracksuit spoke to him only to confirm his date and name.
The M&S shop assistant was stabbed at least nine times to his head, neck, back and chest and was dead when paramedics arrived, the Old Bailey heard
Theobolds can be viewed on the live link while counsel speaks in the Old Bailey.
Judge Simon Mayo QC stated that it was accepted that Mr Theobolds had indeed traveled with the group to the site of the murder.
“He stated that he didn’t know about the intended purpose of his trip and claimed that he wasn’t involved in the killing of Anthony Adekola.
The former student who lived in university halls was taken into custody and remanded to custody, ahead of the preparation hearing for a plea trial.
The trial date for the 21st of November 2022 has been established.
Theobolds, Canning Town’s Newhaven Lane, East London denies that they are guilty of murder.