Two men convicted for ‘frenzy of violence’ in crime spree that ended in murder of teenager Camron Smith

Two men have been convicted in connection with the fatal stabbing of teenager Camron Smith who was murdered in his mother’s bedroom in Croydon.

Romain La Pierre, 20, of Celia Road in Tufnell Park, was found guilty of murder and robbery, and Jordan Tcheuko, 19, of St John’s Road in Wembley, was found guilty of manslaughter and robbery.

A 16-year-old boy was also convicted of robbery. They will all be sentenced on December 2.

The convictions came over a “crime spree” evening that ended in the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Camron in Bracken Avenue, Shrublands, in July 2021.

The court heard how the defendants, and some of their associates, had called for a mini-cab at Fieldend Road in Streatham. 

When the mini-cab arrived, the group robbed the driver and held a knife to his throat while they took away his phone and his car.

The car then travelled in convoy with two mopeds to hunt for their rivals in a crime spree across Croydon.

The defendants were armed with knives and were looking for people that they associated with the stabbing of one of their friends on Pawson’s Road in Croydon, the month before.

The group were described as “hunting in a pack” and entered three homes in Croydon. 

The person they were looking for in the first home no longer lived there and the new resident woke up to a masked man in her bedroom.

At the second address the group weren’t able to get in and so moved on to the third address at Bracken Avenue where the group kicked down the door to Camron’s home.

They chased him to his mother’s bedroom where he had run for shelter and murdered him. 

Emergency services rushed to Bracken Avenue in Shrublands, Croydon at around 00:45am on July 1, 2021, where they found Camron, who had been stabbed. 

He was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Officers found DNA evidence inside the vehicle stolen from the cab driver which was used to travel to all three addresses.

Detective sergeant Mike Seager said: “Camron was from Shrublands in Croydon and was just 16 years old when his life was so brutally ended in a frenzy of violence in his own home. 

“I attended the scene and saw the injuries inflicted on Camron and they were truly dreadful. 

“The entire investigation team knew they were dealing with vicious criminals and they were determined to bring those responsible to justice.

“As for these defendants, despite their ages, they are dangerous violent individuals who cannot be permitted to move freely within the community. I am pleased with the jury’s verdicts – I hope that Camron’s loved ones find some comfort in this outcome.”

One man, Romario Gordon, 18, suspected to be involved, fled the country, travelling from Heathrow to Gambia on July 3, 2021.

An international arrest warrant has been issued for Gordon and enquiries continue to find and arrest him, he is still believed to be in Gambia.

Pictured top: Camron Smith (Picture: The Met)