18-Year-Old Guilty Of Teenage Cyclists Murder

An 18-year-old male has been found guilty of the murder of 15-year-old Alan Cartwright, who was stabbed during an attempted robbery.

Joshua Williams, of Davenant Road, was convicted of murder and one count of robbery following a trial at the Old Bailey.

Two others, Shaquille Roberts, 18 (08.08.96) of no fixed address and a 17-year old boy from Haringey, previously pleaded guilty to robbery.

Alan Cartwright was cycling with friends on Caledonian Road in Islington on Friday, 27 February. At 19:43 as the group made its was along the road, Williams and and two other teenagers, stepped out in front of them

Shaquille Roberts rushed into the path of a teenage girl, forcing her off her bike and the 17-year old grabbed the bike of a teenage boy, forcing him to the floor.

Williams, who was holding a knife in his left hand, stepped out in front of Alan and stabbed him in the upper chest with a swinging movement. He then jumped onto the back of the bike stolen by Roberts and left the area.

It is understood that Alan managed to cycle a short distance up the Caledoinian Road, before collapsing. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 20:21hrs.

In the early hours of Wednesday, 4 March, Williams handed himself into Islington police station where he was arrested. He made an unsolicited comment to the arresting officer, saying "It's the right thing to do isn't it?"

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Jones, who led the investigation for the HMCC, said: "In court Alan's murder was described as 'utterly senseless' and this sentiment was echoed by everyone who watched the CCTV of the incident, including myself and my team.

"The entire incident from start to finish lasted no more than seven seconds, but the ramification for Alan and his devastated family will last a lifetime.

"Alan was just 15-years-old and was simply riding his bike, with his friends, near his home where he felt safe.

"He was not in the 'wrong place at the wrong time', but that evening he crossed paths with Williams, who for reasons unbeknown to anyone other than himself, was armed with a knife and clearly thought nothing of using it.

"Today, I am pleased the jury rejected Williams' claims that he was not the person who stabbed Alan and was elsewhere when the stabbing took place.

"He now faces a life sentence and will have many years to fully appreciate the devastation he caused when he made the decision to carry and use a knife."

Williams, Roberts and the 17-year-old will be sentenced at the Old Bailey at a later date.

(MH/LM)