BY Eric King-
A young Croydon man has been convicted for the murder of young footballer from Wimbledon, after stabbing him in the streets, following an altercation.
19 year old Daniel Namanga was stabbed in the chest by Dickson Tangu, after a late night event outside Afrikiko Nightclub on August 8 . Namanga had been out with his friends Afriko night club is based in Old Kent Road. off the Elephant and Castle Rod.
Namanga was a youth member of the Kingston FC football club in Surrey, where he regularly played football with the team there.
The jury at the Inner London Crown Court heard how the Croydon Man chased Daniel and stabbed him in the chest, as fled the scene in a failed bid to avoid police before police He left his victim in a pool of blood, as Namanga lay collapsed in a pool of blood.
Officers arrived at the scene around 2am ,but attempts to save young Daniel were in vain. He was pronounced dead at the scene. However, Tangu, from Croydon was arrested at his home on the morning of August 11.
He declined to answer any questions from police and was eventually charged with murder. The jury took just two hours to arrive at a verdict, finding Dickson Tangu guilty of murder.
He was found guilty of murder and possession of a knife at Inner London Crown Court yesterday (February 6) and will be sentenced on Friday.
INTENTION
Detective Sergeant Rob Tickle said: “Dickson Tangu chose to carry a knife that night and did so with the full intention of using it.
“He struck a singular, forcible and violent blow to Daniel’s chest. He never recovered from the injuries he suffered and sadly, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he died at the scene.
“Tangu is a dangerous individual, embroiled in a culture of violence in which he has shown a complete disregard for human life, including whilst at court. The jury took just two hours to reach its verdict.
“I would like to pay tribute to the strength of Daniel’s family, in particular his mother, Sally, who has shown immense courage, dignity and strength throughout.