A SEVENTEEN-year-old has been found guilty of stabbing another teenager to death in a churchyard.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, was convicted at the Old Bailey last Thursday, February 22, of the manslaughter of Khaled Saleh.

The victim (above) was attacked and stabbed in St Mary’s Churchyard, Paddington, during the middle of the day, lunchtime, on June 19 last year.

Detective Inspector Ollie Stride, who led the investigation for one of the Metropolitan Police Service’s homicide teams, said: “This was a truly shocking scene and one which starkly outlines the devastating consequences of carrying a knife. The violence used in this attack left Khaled with little chance of survival. The defendant was in the park in possession of a knife when he was approached by a group including Khaled.

“He had many options but chose to attack Khaled, who was unarmed, stabbing him once and continuing to attack him after he had stumbled to the floor and could not defend himself. He then fled with his two associates leaving Khaled dying on the floor while shocked park-goers desperately tried to save his life.”

The MPS said the teenage killer, 16 at the time and who is yet to be sentenced, was recognised by a community police officer who led detectives to his door.

The weapon used, a large knife, was found at another address.

The youth had pleaded not guilty arguing that he had acted in self-defence but he was found guilty by a jury.