Family speak out after teenager admits killing man at party to mark end of lockdown

Another family left heartbroken by a senseless stabbing fatality have spoken out about their tragic loss.

Jason Nyarko, 26, was killed at what was supposed to be a fun end of lockdown party in a large vacant warehouse in Stockholm Road, Southwark on Saturday, June 26 last year.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of a bladed article at the Old Bailey on Friday, March 25.

He was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, to a total of four years and six months’ imprisonment.

Police and ambulance crews were called at around 11:45pm but Jason was pronounced dead at the scene just after midnight.

A post-mortem examination conducted on June 28 gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the front left side of the chest.

Detectives obtained mobile phone footage of the aftermath and spoke to a number of people who had seen an altercation break out.

They described seeing Jason collapse to the floor with several stab injuries.

The 16-year-old was found injured nearby having been attacked by a group of people following the incident.

He was taken to an ambulance for treatment before a number of attendees pointed out to police that he was the assailant.

He was taken to hospital and later discharged into police custody.

The reason for the attack has never been satisfactorily explained.

Jason and the teenager are not believed to have been known to each other or had any interactions prior to that evening.

Jason’s sister Jessica said: “It’s almost a year since we lost Jason and today’s sentencing will not bring Jason back.

“We have to navigate the rest of our lives knowing that someone took it upon themselves to take him away from us.

“The daily pain we feel as a family, the void and the reality of the rest of our lives without Jason is so heartbreaking.

“A violent act has now impacted two families. Jason we will never see on this earth again, all we have is the memories we made together.

“The teenager convicted will get to see his family and live the rest of his life. All we can do is hope that he understands the damage he has caused.

“We are so sorry that this happened to you Jason, and we did everything we could do to make sure your death wasn’t in vain.

“We think about you every day, we miss you so much. We love you forever.”

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who led the investigation, said: “Jason’s death tragically illustrates the awful consequences that carrying weapons can bring – a young man’s life has been cut short in its prime and Jason’s family and friends have been left to deal with the pain of this loss.”

Pictured top: Jason Nyarko