Man jailed for murder after ‘barbaric’ stabbing of 19-year-old sat in back of car

A man has been jailed for murder after he stabbed a 19-year-old to death in a horror attack.

Godfrey Tanishe Madondo, 20, of Colegrove Road, Peckham, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on July 3, of the murder of 19-year-old Jeremiah Sewell.

He was sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment – to serve a minimum of 24 years.

Mr Sewell was attacked by Madondo as he sat in the back of a parked car in Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham, in the early hours July 16, 2022.

Mr Sewell had spent the hours prior to the attack hanging out with friends and associates. They were listening to music and socialising when the defendant’s car arrived at around 4.30 am.

The reason for the attack is still not known, but when Madondo arrived he approached Jeremiah as he sat in the car.

Someone heard somebody ask where Mr Sewell was from, and as he answered he was stabbed twice in the neck.

Madondo ran back to the car, which was driven away at speed. Mr Sewel’s friends rushed him to nearby Lewisham Hospital but, despite the efforts of medical staff, he died a short time later.

Police were called after Mr Sewell arrived at hospital.

CCTV analysis provided detectives with movements of the car that Madondo had been travelling in, prior to the murder the he was seen entering a shop in Peckham.

Madondo was arrested the day after the murder, but refused to answer any questions about the attack of Mr Sewell.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, led the investigation and said: “Mr Sewell’s murder was an utterly senseless and barbaric act – the speed in which the situation escalated, and the fact that Mr Sewell was sitting defenceless in the back of a car, offering no threat to Madondo, makes it all the more futile.

“From the outset Madondo has not made any attempt to explain why he attacked Mr Sewell, let alone accept responsibility for his actions. 

“They have left Mr Sewell’s family wondering why their loved one was viciously attacked – when he could have provided answers, he has taken the coward’s option and kept quiet.

“Nothing will undo the catastrophic consequences of that night, but I hope the conviction of these three people will at least give Mr Sewell’s family and friends some sense that justice has been served.”

Khelsi Johnson-Davis, 20, of Barset Road, Nunhead and Leah Simmonds, 20, of West Norwood, are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey for perverting the course of justice on August 24.

Pictured top: Godfrey Tanishe Madondo (Picture: The Met)