'Savage' teenage brothers who killed Junior Osborne named for first time

A 50-year-old father was killed in Leicester by a 'pack' of 'wild' teenagers – including twins who had celebrated their 16th birthday the day before the fatal attack. Before the siblings were sentenced today, the Honorable Judge Neil Calver accepted a request from LeicestershireLive to lift reporting restrictions so the couple could be named publicly for the first time.

The identities of Nero McLean and his twin brother Nevardo McLean were previously protected by law due to their age. Nero McLean was found guilty by a jury last month of the murder of Junior Osborne in Narborough Road just after 9.30pm on Wednesday September 27 last year.

During the trial at Leicester Crown Court, CCTV footage was played showing Nero McLean running down Narborough Road, near the Subway restaurant, and stabbing Mr Osborne in the back of the head with a “very large knife” while he was on his bike. sidewalk in front of a store where two children were playing. The knife passed through his jugular vein and down into his abdomen, severing one of his lungs.

LEARN MORE: CCTV clip shows Nero McLean, 16, sprinting behind Junior Osborne before fatal attack

Meanwhile, the other four defendants shouted encouragement from across the road. The others were Nevardo McLean, Moises Steiner, 18, of Dovedale Road, Thurmaston, Theobald Budzwa, 18, of Ash Court, Groby, and James Williams, 18, of Pelham Way, Leicester city centre. All four were found guilty of manslaughter by the jury.

At today's sentencing hearing, Nero McLean was sentenced to life in prison and must serve at least 17 years behind bars before he can be considered for parole. The four guilty of manslaughter were each sentenced to eight years in prison and will all have to serve two-thirds of their sentence before being automatically released on conditions.

As well as the names of Nero and Nevardo McLean, both of Upperton Road, West End, Leicester, it can also be revealed for the first time today that all five defendants had previously been stopped by police with knives. Budzwa was cautioned for carrying a knife in Northampton town centre, while the other four were all convicted of possessing blades.

Williams and Nero were also convicted of threatening behavior in an incident around three months before Mr Osborne's murder.

At the sentencing hearing, Kate Blumgart KC, the prosecutor, read a statement from Julie Osborne, Mr Osborne's wife and the mother of his daughter. She described how he grew up on the Caribbean island of Montserrat and moved to England aged 25 after the volcano on the island erupted.

She said: “He was an intelligent person who had an entrepreneurial spirit. In 1997 he came to the UK to try to rebuild his life, leaving his loved ones behind.

“He made many friends and had a family and children who loved him. Junior was a kind and loving person.

“He was no angel and he unfortunately got mixed up with the wrong people in recent years, but he did not deserve to die in such a tragic way.

“This loss has left a huge hole in our hearts. His life was taken by children trying to act like adults.”

Sentencing the five killers, who had gathered at a West End flat and filmed themselves playing with knives before the murder, the judge said: “The circumstances of Junior's death at your hands are now well known. On the afternoon of September 27, you all met. at 3 Andrewes Walk in Leicester to plan an attack on Junior.

“You all took steps to remain secret and cover your tracks. Everyone except Nevardo wore masks. You deleted Snap Chat messages and one of you got rid of the knife.

“None of you helped the police. You all constantly lied or remained silent.

“Before the murder, you were horny and showing off before the attack to send video clips to your friends. Three of you brought your large knives into the apartment as a prelude to the assault on Junior.

“You were all used to carrying knives in private and in public. It was normal behavior for you despite its stupidity.

“You left the apartment with three knives to find Junior and attack him.”

The judge said he could not say why the teenagers attacked Mr Osborne, but was sure Nero McLean had every intention of killing him. He said: “You may all have been promised money, but I can’t be sure.

“Junior was walking away from all of you when he was attacked. He was blissfully unaware that this pack of young wildlings determined to attack him were heading towards Narborough Road.”

Addressing Nero, the judge said: “You plunged the knife into the right side of Junior’s neck. The force required was towards the more severe end and by all accounts it was a brutal, cold-blooded murder that took him by surprise.

“It is difficult to imagine a more cruel and cruel murder.”

The judge told the teens they had destroyed their own lives and many others. He said: “You took the life of an innocent man and now you have destroyed your own life, the lives of the people who loved Junior Osborne and the lives of the people who love you.

“You will have a long time in custody to reflect on the damage you have each inflicted on so many lives.”