Parents warned about ease of buying knives online after youngster guilty of murdering boy

Police have warned it is “easy” for teenagers to buy weapons and urged parents to check their purchases after a youth killed a 16-year-old boy with a “ninja-style” sword.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey on Friday, after punching Rahaan Ahmed Amin in the chest on July 9 in retaliation for an earlier stabbing, jurors said. heard.

It emerged that a red knife identical to the weapon used in the murder had been ordered online via online store DNA Leisure in the weeks before the attack on June 12, according to Scotland Yard.

Three orders were placed using a passport belonging to the father of one of the defendant's friends who told police he had no knowledge of the purchase, the court heard.

DNA Leisure states on its website that age-restricted products are only shipped after verification checks.

The last order was placed with the defendant's home as the delivery address.

Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector Kelly Allen said Rahaan was killed in “cold blood”.

She continued: “This case demonstrates how easy it is for young people to buy deadly knives online. I urge all parents to be aware of their children's online activity and the purchases they make.

“It is also important that parents keep their identity documents safe to ensure they are not misused by their children. »

Prosecutor Kate Lumsdon KC had told jurors how the defendant cycled through West Ham Park in Newham, east London, with his face covered.

He took out a long red knife and attacked Rahaan before fleeing.

Rahaan and his attacker reportedly stood “end to end” before the knife was used, while another witness said he saw a boy approach him with his hands on his chest, shouting “save me, please save me.”

Paramedics were called to the scene and Rahaan was taken to hospital where he died the next day.

Police recovered the murder weapon bearing the accused's fingerprints and the victim's blood on the blade hanging from a tree in the park.

They also discovered a Snapchat photo of nine knives lined up on the defendant's bed, one of which resembled the red sword used in the murder.

Jurors were told the attack occurred amid tensions between groups of friends of the accused and the victim.

When one of the accused's friends was stabbed, Rahaan was arrested on suspicion of involvement.

The Snapchat messages suggested the accused and his friends wanted to harm Rahaan in retaliation, the court was told.

During his trial, the accused claimed to have used the knife in self-defense.

Sentencing was adjourned until September 6 for the preparation of reports.

DNA Leisure has been contacted for comment.