A teenager has been jailed for the murder of 16-year-old Elvis Tacu in Yiewsley.
The 17-year-old appeared at Harrow Crown Court on Wednesday (17 August) having pleaded guilty in June to murder following the incident at the Philpot’s Farm Open Space close to Heather Lane on Thursday, 30 December 2021.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years, less 225 days spent on remand.
A special post-mortem took place on Sunday, 2 January and gave the cause of death as significant blood loss due to stab injuries.
Detectives from Specialist Crime began investigating and quickly identified the suspect, who was aged 16 at the time of the offence.
Extensive CCTV and mobile phone enquiries placed him with Elvis immediately prior to the murder.
Elvis and the suspect were known to one other. The pair had arranged to meet and, unbeknownst to Elvis, the suspect had brought with him a knife.
A motive has never been established in this case.
Detective Chief Inspector James Shirley said: “This is a harrowing case where we have yet again seen the devastation that carrying a knife can cause. A 16-year-old boy is dead and another teenager will spend the prime years of his life in prison.
“I urge anyone concerned in knife crime to look at what happens and put the knife down. The consequences are enormous and life-changing for everyone, at the heart of it is Elvis, who was just 16.
“He had his entire life before him and instead his family had to plan his funeral. Their courage throughout this ordeal has been extraordinary, but though they have seen justice done, their grief will not end here.”
The family of Elvis made the following statement to the court: “Time doesn’t heal wounds; it just teaches us how to live with pain. Grief is the price we pay for love. Elvis’ murderer will be out walking the streets living his whole life – he will always be a murderer and only God can forgive him.”
