Croydon killer is found guilty of Peckham teenager’s club murder

A 22-year-old has been convicted of the murder of a teenager who he chased from a club and stabbed once in the chest.

Dickson Tangu, of Wilkinson Gardens, Croydon, was found guilty of killing Daniel Namanaga, of Peckham, and possession of a knife at Inner London Crown Court yesterday, February 6.

He will be sentenced at the Inner London Crown Court on Friday.

Police were called at around 2am on August 8 last year, to reports of a disturbance at the junction of Ilderton Road and the Old Kent Road.

Officers and paramedics found 19-year-old Daniel suffering from a stab injury. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 2.05am.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on August 8, and gave cause of death as single stab wound to the chest.

Daniel had been with friends at a club night at the Afrikiko Bar and as the event finished, he became involved in a row outside. This quickly escalated and Daniel was chased before being stabbed. He collapsed a few metres away. Tangu fled the scene.

Tangu was arrested at his home three days later, on the morning of August 11. He refused to answer any questions, and was subsequently charged with murder.

Detective Sergeant Rob Tickle, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “Dickson Tangu chose to carry a knife that night and did so with the full intention of using it. He struck a singular, forcible and violent blow to Daniel’s chest. The victim never recovered from the injuries he suffered and sadly, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he died at the scene.

“Tangu is a dangerous individual, embroiled in a culture of violence in which he has shown a complete disregard for human life, including whilst at court. The jury took just two hours to reach its verdict.

“I would like to pay tribute to the strength of Daniel’s family, in particular his mother, Sally, who has shown immense courage, dignity and strength throughout. The family particularly want to thank the emergency services personnel who fought hard to save Daniel’s life, the criminal justice system and the investigation team whose commitment, hard work and determination ensured that Tangu was convicted.”

Police made eight other arrests in connection with this investigation. They were all released with no further action.