Five teenage gang members who killed a 14-year-old boy to “earn their spurs” as fledgeling criminals on the streets of London face lengthy terms in youth detention centres.

The boys, aged between 14 and 19, were found guilty of killing Paul Erhahon, an aspiring disc jockey who stood up for himself when he was surrounded by a group of 17 youths in Leytonstone, East London.

Their convictions for murder and manslaughter at the Old Bailey yesterday came in the second trial in two days to bring murderous teenage gang members to justice. On Tuesday, also at the Old Bailey, five boys from a gang in West London were found guilty of killing Kodjo Yenga , a 16-year-old A-level student.

Paul was surrounded on Good Friday last year by teenagers wearing hoods and masks, and armed with baseball bats, knives and a bicycle chain. The fatal blow was a 7in stab to the heart with a sword.

Jurors in both trials had to have the patois of gang culture explained to them as they heard evidence of teenagers “shanking”, or stabbing, their victims.

Paul, who was attacked near his home in Leytonstone, cried out: “You can’t be shanking me.” The jury heard how older members of the gang goaded the younger members by shouting: “Go on youngers.”

Three of Paul’s killers, aged 14, 15 and 16, were convicted of murder. A further two, aged 16 and 19, were convicted of manslaughter. Paul was one of 27 teenagers to be murdered in gang-related incidents on the streets of London last year.

Police said that Paul may have died because he refused to be intimidated by boys who intended to rob him.

Detective Inspector Mick Foote said: “He has obviously decided to stand his ground and unfortunately the consequences are very grave.”

Paul’s 15-year-old friend was also stabbed and left for dead when he tried to save him. The 14-year-old and 16-year-old boys convicted of murdering Paul were also found guilty of the attempted murder of Paul’s friend, as was the 19-year-old and another youth, aged 18. The 16-year-old convicted of manslaughter was also found guilty of wounding with intent for the attack on the friend. A 14-year-old boy was cleared of all charges.

Paul was one of three murder victims who went to Kingsford Community School in Beckton. The others were Stephen Boachie, 17, and Adam Regis, 15.

The year before, Paul had been stabbed by bullies, and his parents, Paul and Rita, had moved him to Kingsford hoping for a fresh start for him. Instead on the evening of April 6 last year they found him lying in the street outside their home, bleeding and crying: “I’m dying, I’m dying.”His mother had cradled him in her arms. He died in hospital less than half an hour after the attack.

In a statement, Paul’s parents described their feelings of “loss and emptiness” since his death.

Sentencing for Paul’s killers was adjourned until May 9.

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