Cousins jailed for life for the murder in broad daylight of 18-year-old in Dulwich

Two cousins who stabbed an 18-year-old man to death in Dulwich have been jailed for a total of at least 46 years. 

Kieran Robinson, 22, of Baldry Gardens, Streatham, and Sean Robinson, 27, of Newlands Park, Penge, were sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday, December 2.

They had previously been found guilty of murdering Donnell Rhule in Dulwich.

Both were sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 23 years each.

Detective Sergeant Iain Law, who worked on the investigation, said: “Today is not a day to celebrate but I do hope this verdict provides some comfort to Donnell’s family as they continue to come to terms with their loss. 

“Both defendants colluded together to carry out the attack in broad daylight and in front of horrified members of the public.

“I would like to praise those witnesses for the bravery they have shown and the support they have given our investigation.”

At around 6:30pm on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 a man was found injured near a row of shops in Seeley Drive on the 70-year-old Kingswood Estate in Dulwich.

Police and paramedics were called and found 18-year-old Donnell Rhule with stab injuries. 

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

Donnell had been with a group of friends when he was confronted by Kieran Robinson, who was riding a moped erratically around the estate.

Kieran was joined by his cousin, Sean Robinson, who was a passenger in a car being driven by another man. 

Witnesses reported hearing Sean encourage Kieran to attack Donnell. 

Kieran Robinson stabbed Donnell three times with a Rambo-style knife and one of the strikes went through Donnell’s heart. 

Donnell and a friend ran from the area down an alleyway behind a row of shops and both defendants gave chase on the moped. 

A witness reported seeing Sean Robinson carrying a large knife.

Both men then rode out of the estate on the moped.

Donnell had been seriously injured and collapsed on a nearby patch of grass. 

CCTV evidence showed the defendants meeting with the driver of the car and Sean Robinson got back into this vehicle. 

They drove off in different directions.

They were later arrested and interviewed about their involvement in the attack. 

Kieran Robinson gave no comment during his interview, although later claimed he acted in self-defence after Donnell threatened him with a knife.

There was no evidence to suggest that had happened. 

Sean Robinson claimed he had gone to the estate to buy cannabis and that he had no involvement in the attack.

Yahia Barakat, of Dulwich Furnishings, which faces the open area, said days after the attack: “Two years ago a kid got stabbed – we saw him with the blood running out.

“It happened in exactly the same place. When we came out to see what was happening this time, that same kid was there, with his friends.

“This area has been left to rot.

“Instead of putting money into making sure youths get jobs or learn something useful, all they do is hang around and deal drugs.

“It is shocking but it happens all the time. Gangs from another area come down and they are rivals.

“Not many open the shutters on their shops.”

Pictured top: Donnell Rhule