Jamaly Samba Baibu

A TEENAGER has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a young man who was stabbed to death just before Christmas.

Jamaly Samba Baibu was just 16 years old when he was stabbed in Seward Street, near Old Street, on December 20 last year. Another 16-year-old boy was injured.

His killer, also aged 16, left the country. He was arrested after arriving back in the UK at Gatwick Airport on December 29. He was charged with murder and grievous bodily harm the following day.

The youth, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday to be tried for Jamaly’s murder, but pleaded guilty instead to manslaughter. This plea was accepted by the court and he will be sentenced in November.

Chief Inspector Kate Kieran, who led the investigation, said she was “pleased that the guilty plea will save Jamaly’s family from having to endure a murder trial that would have been extremely painful for them,” but acknowl­edged “nothing can bring Jamaly back”.

At the time of Jamaly’s death, his sister Joyce Twumasi paid tribute to him as a young man who was “loved and cared for by many”.

She said: “Everyone he encountered has spoken of his caring nature and the smile he would bring – that was my Jamaly.”