Sentence after brawl knife death

David Nowak was stabbed in the back

A suspected gang member has been sentenced to seven years in youth detention after a brawl in north London in which a 16-year-old boy was killed.

David Nowak was stabbed in the back when a fight at a community centre in Stoke Newington spilled outside in December 2007, the Old Bailey heard.

Dolovan Barzey, of Hackney, east London was cleared of murder in February, but found guilty of grievous bodily harm.

The 19-year-old was convicted of that offence for attacking David's friend.

'Fully involved'

Barzey, who was also found guilty of violent disorder, had previous convictions for knife possession, violence, drugs offences and theft.

The teenager was part of a group that wanted revenge after David and his friend attacked another youth at a community centre in Stoke Newington, the Old Bailey heard.

David was stabbed as he shut himself into a play area behind a gate to keep the gang at bay.

Barzey, a suspected member of the Holly Street Boys gang, was a "key player in group violence" that led to David's death, Judge Richard Hone said.

"You were fully involved and played a leading part in the attack," he told the teenager.

Eleven other youths, all from Stoke Newington and Hackney, were also cleared of murder at a trial in February.