Ten teenagers were jailed yesterday, five of them for life, at the end of separate trials for the murders of two young men who were fatally stabbed through the heart on the streets of London.

Kodjo Yenga, 16, a gifted A-level student, was chased along a street by a mob of youths, including two girls, who were chanting: “Catch him, kill him.”

Paul Erhahon, 14, was stabbed with a 7in sword after straying into the path of thugs out to prove themselves to older members of their gang in Leytonstone, East London.

Last year 26 teenagers were killed in the capital, 16 of them attacked with knives. Twelve have been killed already this year, nine by knives.

Kodjo’s killers, wearing their school uniforms, ran off laughing as he died in his girlfriend’s arms. He had been attacked by a pitbull terrier, beaten by the gang and stabbed in the heart.

At the Old Bailey, the judge sentencing five boys involved in the killing said that they were “all part of the gang culture that casts a dreadful influence over the youth of our cities”.

Judge Christopher Moss, QC, told the members of the gang, known as MDP — Murder Dem Pussies or Money Drugs Power — that gang culture ultimately leads to tragedy.

“I don’t pretend to know the solution to what has become a serious social problem. That is for others to address in schools, families and government,” he said.

“The courts must send out a clear message that this violent taking of life by young people must be severely punished.”

Kodjo was with his 15-year-old girlfriend in Hammersmith Broadway shopping centre on March 14 last year when he was approached by a boy who said: “I hear you want to fight me.” Kodjo followed the boy to Adie Road, a residential side street. There, at least nine MDP members were waiting, armed with at least one knife and with a pitbull terrier on a lead.

The killers can now be named. Tirrell Davis, 17, and Brandon Richmond, 14, were found guilty of murder. They were jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years. Kurtis Yemoh, 17, Michel Williams, 14, and Jamel Bridgeman, 15, were found guilty of violent disorder and manslaughter. They will serve ten years.

Paul Erhahon, an aspiring DJ, was killed in April last year by members of the Cathall Boys, who had been told to prove themselves by older members. Also at the Old Bailey, Paul Benfield, 16, and Kevin Adu-Marcet, 15, were both given life detention sentences with a minimum term of 13 years. A third boy convicted of murder, Jordan Conn, 15, was given life with a minimum term of 11 years.

Two others were found guilty of manslaughter. Nathan Desnoes, 16, was given a custodial sentence of eight years. Theo Diah, 19, received an indeterminate sentence with a minimum term of seven years.

Broken mother whose dreams were crushed

An edited version of a statement read to the court on behalf of Ladjua Lesele, Kodjo’s mother:

“I stand before you a broken mother whose prayers, dreams and hopes for the bright future of her beloved son were cruelly and needlessly crushed.

“He was an exemplary child and a gifted scholar who had just received A+ grades in his A levels. He had a bright future and also contributed to his local community in many thoughtful ways.

“This brutal murder shocked people in Great Britain and all over the world. These cold-blooded children tormented and stabbed my wonderful and innocent son whilst they screamed, ‘Kill him, kill him’.

“I only have one thing to say to those who murdered Kodjo Yenga: as you spilt and touched his blood, no matter how many times you wash your hands, his blood will stay on them for as long as you live.

“I ask every person with a gun or knife to stop and think about the ripples of pain you leave eternally with the family whose loved one you have thoughtlessly killed in a moment of madness that will also change your life for ever.”

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Wendy Alexander 'busted flush' after fiasco
• Lower abortion limit 'may give false hope'
• Labour lampoon Timpson in class war