12 years for role in Victoria Station stabbing

Victoria Osoteku. Photo: Metropolitan Police

An Old Bailey judge imposed a 12 year detention sentence on Victoria Osoteku
of Mereton Mansions, Brookmill Road SE8 after a jury convicted her of manslaughter.
Sofyen Belamouadden, 15, was stabbed nine times in 12 seconds in front of evening rush hour communters at Victoria Tube station in March 2010. The attack was described as “ferocious and merciless” by Judge Christopher Ross at The Central Criminal Court (April 26 2012).

The court heard that at 5.20pm a gang of 20 or more youths chased Sofyen through the concourse and into the ticket hall where he was attacked.

Osoteku had bought a pack of kitchen knives in her lunch hour on the day of the killing and was also described as one of the organisers. She had exchanged messages on Facebook and by phone with others involved.

The next day Osoteku, who was studying for A’levels, was heard bragging about her role in the killing at her Sixth form college.

She was also seen on CCTV aiming the final kick at Sofyen’s head, and she was among the last people to leave the scene. In evidence she denied kicking him saying that “she nudged him to see if he was ok”

She was told she would have to accept responsibilty for the death as she had purchased the knives. She was the only woman charged and she spent 19 days giving evidence. In addition to the sentence for manslaughter, the judge imposed a sentence of eight years for conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm, but this will be served concurrently.