A teenager linked to a gang in Tooting who rapped about murdering a 16-year-old boy with a zombie knife can be named after he was handed a life sentence.

Kion McKenna, 17, stabbed Clapham gang rival Louis Johnson once in the chest at East Croydon station on the afternoon of January 27.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene while McKenna fled to Chichester, where he was captured on CCTV smiling and dancing in a takeaway after shaving off his long hair in a bid to disguise himself.

He was arrested and charged with murder after handing himself in at a police station in Islington, north London, on January 29.

The Old Bailey heard that just a week after he had been remanded in custody, McKenna composed a rap about the killing using Louis's street name, L-Sav.

Lyrics included a reference to the victim being "6ft in life but now 6ft deep" and "pushing in the chest now he's coughing up blood".

Judge Mark Dennis QC handed McKenna a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years on Friday after he was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey last month. He earlier pleaded guilty to having a knife.

Lifting restrictions barring the reporting of McKenna's name because of his age, the judge said:

"The evidence that related to the defendant's conduct following his arrest and remand in custody - composing and sharing rap lyrics appearing to be him bragging about the killing, supporting and encouraging gang violence - demonstrated he had little concern hitherto about publicising his actions."

The judge said the teenager, who was linked to a gang in Tooting, stabbed Louis, who had connections to a Clapham gang, after a chance meeting following previous run-ins between the pair

 

 

He told McKenna: "This was a shocking and dreadful display of violence for which there was no justification or excuse.

"This once again demonstrates how lives can be turned around by such youth gang violence.

"Though you were of a young age, you were old enough to know what you were doing and to make your own choices."

Reading from a victim impact statement in court, Louis's mother Natalie Secka told how her family's life "has not been the same" since her son was killed.

She said: "Louis left a massive hole in our lives and we miss him massively. Louis was a good son, good brother and a good friend to many.

"He was kind, polite and overall was willing to help others. His overriding quality was his wonderful sense of humour."

She added: "We will never get over losing Louis, never. Nobody deserves to be stabbed by such a terrifying weapon and left to die on a cold, wet train station floor.

"As a mother, that thought of your child dying terrified is too much to bear."