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Teenager ‘mauled by gang’s dogs then stabbed to death’
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent11 Feb 2010
A teenager was murdered in a park when a gang unleashed vicious dogs as “weapons,” the Old Bailey heard today.
Two dogs were let loose to chase, bring down and savage Christopher Ogunyemi, 16, the jury was told. He was then stabbed six times and died in Larkhall Park, Lambeth.
Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, described the murder as “an unusual, if not unique case”. The two dogs were a Staffordshire Bull-Mastiff cross called Tyson, and a Staffordshire called Mia.
“In the initial stages of the attack both dogs were deployed as weapons,” said Mr Altman. “They were unleashed and brought down and savaged their victims, gaining their human masters an advantage by enabling them to access their victims in order to stab them.”
Christopher, known as Seyi, suffered multiple wounds which penetrated his aorta and his body was also marked by dog bites, the court heard. He died despite emergency surgery at the scene.
His friend, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was stabbed nine times but survived. Two other friends, aged 15 and 17, were also stabbed and lived. These three were also bitten by the dogs, the jury was told.
Chrisdian Johnson, 22, his brother Shane, 20, both from south Lambeth, and Darcy Menezes, 18, of Clapham, deny murder and attempted murder.
The attack took place last April when Christopher's group from Stockwell Gardens Estate was confronted by a larger group from Landsdowne Green Estate dressed in hoodies and masks.
Mr Altman told the jury: “The attacking group confronted the other group with quite devastating consequences. It was described by one on-looker as mirroring the behaviour of a pack of wild animals.
“You may conclude that that was an entirely accurate description because ... the victim was attacked not only by humans but also by dogs.”
The case continues.
