Two teenagers found guilty of stabbing to death 17-year-old James Peregrino over a petty drug deal in Grahame Park last October were each jailed for nine years last week.

Delroy Joseph and Michael Morris, both 18, were cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter on May 14 by a jury on majority verdict after almost 14 hours of deliberation.

The Old Bailey heard last month that Joseph grinned as he plunged a four-inch combat knife into James's stomach on October 13 last year.

James, who was from Potters Bar, was approached by the pair, who asked him for cannabis. When James handed them some, they made off without paying for it. James chased them into an alleyway known as the red path near Bodmin and Blackburn houses, off Lanacre Avenue, and started brawling with Joseph.

During the fight, Joseph said to Morris 'give me the borer' slang for knife. Morris handed him the knife and stabbed James, the court heard.

The pair then fled on their pushbikes as James stumbled across the estate screaming 'call an ambulance'.

Joseph had claimed that Morris had stabbed James, but Morris accused Joseph.

Judge David Paget accepted that Joseph, of no fixed abode, and Morris, of Cambridge Gardens, Kilburn, did not mean to kill Pergrino, but added: "It seems to me that you are both equally responsible both legally and morally for the death of James Peregrino.

"Although the sentence I impose will have to be lengthy you will still be young men upon your release and you may start life afresh.

"I have to reflect the fact that a 17-year-old young man was killed quite unnecessarily with a knife which you shouldn't have had."

Detective Sergeant Rex Jones, who was in charge of the case said: "These sentences reflect the severity of this crime. These findings of guilt will not bring back a much-loved son with a bright future ahead of him. Our thoughts are with his family."

June 14, 2002 11:00