'Laughing gang' killed teenager

Kodjo died from a single stab wound to the heart

A screaming gang of youths chased and stabbed a schoolboy to death, the Old Bailey has heard.

Kodjo Yenga, 16, was ambushed by about a dozen youngsters armed with knives, bats and even a bull terrier, a jury was told.

The teenager died from a single stab wound to the heart after being attacked in Hammersmith Grove, west London, in March last year.

Six boys, aged between 14 and 17, deny his murder.

They were laughing and smiling Prosecutor Sir Allan Green QC

Kodjo, from west London, was left on the ground moaning and bleeding when the gang laughed and ran away as passers-by tried to help, the court heard.

One woman was walking up Hammersmith Grove when she spotted Kodjo running away.

Prosecutor Sir Allan Green QC said: "Behind him was a group of ten black youths. She noticed two girls as well. She could hear a few members of the group shouting 'catch him, kill him"'.

The group seemed "happy, they were laughing and smiling", Sir Allan told the court.

'Psyched up'

The jury heard how it appeared Kodjo had agreed to have a one-to-one fight after a gang member challenged him to a fight.

But when the pair confronted each other another eight or nine boys, turned up.

Teacher Angela Quinn thought she saw one of the possible attackers just minutes after the stabbing, carrying a bloody knife and with his "eyes looking big and psyched up", the jury heard.

Ms Quinn had been cycling down Hammersmith Grove when she saw a group of youths shouting and very excited, the court heard.

There was wet blood on the blade of the knife Sir Allan Green QC, prosecuting

Sir Allan said: "She heard a girl shout 'he's going to stab him', then the same girl shouted: 'He stabbed him."'

After going into a nearby shop for help Ms Quinn was confronted by a youth with a knife.

"There was wet blood on the blade of the knife. The boy was holding it out at arm's length with the blade pointing upwards.

"He looked proud as if he had done something by way of an accomplishment," Sir Allan said.

The trial continues.